Even as the Gujarat government struggles to accommodate demands of the Patels to be given OBC quota, the Maldharis (cowherds and goatherds) want recognition as a backward community.
Vice president of Akhil Bhartiya Pashupalak Sangh Govind Rabari said the Maldharis form 8% of Gujarat’s population and most of the community remain backward in education.
With most of the men depending on animal husbandry, women have to supplement the income by working as domestic help, Rabari said. “Looking at the socio-economic plight of the Maldhari Samaj, we must be included in the Backward Class category,” he added.
The community has also asked landless Maldharis to be declared farmers without land and represented in state-owned Gau-Seva Ayog and Grassland Development Board. Maldhari leaders met Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and put forth their demand before the ruling BJP leadership.
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