<p> 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. <br /><br /></p>.<p>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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.</p>
<p> 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. <br /><br /></p>.<p>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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.</p>
