Maharashtra Deputy Speaker and MLA Jump from Mantralaya’s Third Floor, Saved by Safety Net

Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker and MLA Jump from Mantralaya’s Third Floor, Saved by Safety Net

Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal leaped from the third floor of the Mantralaya on Friday, along with MLA Hiraman Khoskar. Both were saved by a safety net installed below the building, preventing a fatal incident.

The two tribal MLAs got caught in the net, and police were quick to arrive on the scene to rescue them. Due to the fall, Zirwal suffered a neck injury and experienced a rise in blood pressure. A team of doctors was dispatched to the Mantralaya for medical examination.

Opposition to ST Status for Dhangar Community

Zirwal, a legislator from Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, was reportedly protesting against his own government’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Dhangar community. He and other tribal MLAs had earlier met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on October 4th to raise their objections. When the issue remained unresolved, the desperate act of leaping from the third floor took place. Both Zirwal and Khoskar also chanted slogans in support of the tribal community during the incident, which led to a temporary halt in Mantralaya’s operations.

Plan B: The Warning Before the Jump

Before meeting with the CM, Narhari Zirwal had issued a warning, stating that if the government did not listen to their concerns, they had a “Plan B” in place. He had emphasized that they did not want the reservation status for ST to be affected, but when talks failed to yield results, he expressed his anger through the drastic measure.

Other Political Controversies in Maharashtra

This incident adds to the ongoing turmoil around reservation issues in Maharashtra, with tribal and Maratha communities actively protesting. Political tensions have been escalating, as seen in other controversies related to reservations and inflammatory statements made by leaders from various factions.