The “Sugar City” of Rohtak turned into a sea of protesters today as the Prajapati community held a “Maha Sammelan” to voice decades of perceived neglect. The rally, organized by the Haryana Prajapati Mahasabha, saw participation from across the 22 districts of the state.
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The Core Demand: The primary resolution passed during the rally was the reclassification of the Prajapati/Kumhar caste from Backward Class (Block A) to Scheduled Caste. Leaders cited that in several neighboring states, the community already enjoys SC status due to their traditional occupation and social challenges.
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Political Leverage: With the October 5 Assembly elections looming, the timing of the rally was strategic. Community leaders emphasized that the Prajapati vote bank is decisive in nearly 25 to 30 assembly seats in Haryana. “We have been used as a ‘vote bank’ for too long. This time, our support is conditional on a written assurance for SC status and a fair share of assembly tickets,” stated a senior Mahasabha leader.
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Economic Concerns: Beyond reservation, the community demanded:
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Free access to clay/soil: Removal of “royalty” and mining restrictions on pond soil used for pottery.
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Modern Kilns: Subsidies for electric wheels and modern smoke-free kilns.
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Artisan Pensions: A dedicated pension scheme for elderly artisans of the community.
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March to the Secretariat: Following the speeches at the local grain market (Mandi), a memorandum addressed to the Governor and the Chief Minister was handed over to the district administration. The protesters warned that if no concrete step is taken, they would launch a “door-to-door” campaign against the ruling party.
