Party lines blur at Nishad protest outside Parliament today

The protesters have planned a gherao of Parliament in order to seek more representation in seats for Mallahs, a Nishad sub-caste, as well some castes from Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Most Backward Classes (MBCs). They will also seek a sub-quota within the 27 per cent reservation marked for OBCs and ultimately Scheduled Caste status for Nishads.

“A number of political parties promised SC status for Kashyap, Nishad, Prajapati and Rajbhar communities, but forgot their promise after coming to power,” Kashyap told The Indian Express. He said the community had not got political representation in proportion to its numerical strength.

The community accounts for about 4.5 per cent votes and is spread over 125 constituencies in UP, but has generally been on the margins of political discourse. The community alone cannot win seats, but can be a deciding factor in the electoral outcome of a seat. With Assembly polls round the corner, the Nishads are being wooed by all parties. The BSP has tasked MLC Suresh Kashyap to reach out to the Kashyap-Nishad group.