Banjara community to hold protests seeking ministerial berth

Akhila Bharata Banjara Seva Sangha has decided to observe one-day bandh at all district and taluk headquarters on June 14 against lack of representation to the Banjara community in the state cabinet.

"There are about 45 lakh Banjara community members across the state. Three community members from the Congress and one from the JD(S) have emerged victorious in the recently concluded Assembly elections. They play a decisive role in all Lok Sabha segments in the state. Despite this, none of the MLAs from the community has been inducted in the cabinet which is injustice to the community," Dr D Paramesh Nayak, President, Akhila Bharata Banjara Seva Sangha, stated in a press release.

"Banjara is one of the backward communities, while community members face several problems. Migration and sale of children are still rampant in the community. Representation to the community in the ministry is needed to address problems of the community," Nayak added.

"The community members will hold a one-day bandh at all district and taluk headquarters on June 14. They will gherao Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and other ministers. They will also submit memoranda to AICC President Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and former chief minister Siddaramaiah. They will continue to protest till any of their leaders is inducted in ministry," he said.