LUCKNOW: Barely hours after Centre announced inclusion of OBCs in 2021 Census, BJP in
Uttar Pradesh rushed to inaugurate its first big event in the state capital to honour and recognise civil society members of backward classes from the hinterland.
BJP on Saturday kickstarted an event called Samajik Pratinidhi Baithak where it invited the ‘Pal Baghel’ (shepherds and domesticated animal farmers) community on the first day.
This will be followed by Sahu Rathore, those who make perfumes in Kannauj and transact oil business elsewhere, earning the moniker ‘Teli’ for themselves.
The BJP has identified 28 such
OBC communities between Banda, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur right upto Terai area which shares its border with Nepal.
‘We will honour barbers and carpenters’
Sahu Rathore and Teli community is the most hardworking OBC community of UP. Prime minister
Narendra Modi comes from this community. The OBCs have always felt that just Yadavs among them have benefitted due to Samajwadi Party's non-inclusiveness of party ideology. We are giving them a sense of security and belongingness," said B L Verma, senior BJP OBC functionary in UP.
The BJP has identified 28 such OBC communities between Banda, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur right upto Terai area which shares its border with Nepal.
This includes Chaurausiyas (betel leaf growers and pan traders), Vishwakarmas (carpenters), Giri Goswamis (those who help families complete their shradhs or remembrance of bereaved ancestors). The BJP has been fast-tracking the event's frequency at every two days in Lucknow, considering the OBC were recently disenchanted after Centre went ahead with introduction of a bill to restore the provisions of SC/ST Act after a controversy erupted following a Supreme Court judgment diluting the law.
"We will be even honouring the barbers and carpenters by showcasing their work and success in UP and abroad. The BJP wants to tell the OBCs that they have as much space in the society and in jobs as SC and ST" said Naveen Srivastava, a BJP office bearer in UP.The events are also crucial for the saffron party in UP as it has shifted the focus of party on mis-represented OBCS again with
Keshav Prasad Maurya helming the event along with SP Baghel.
The saffron outfit’s electoral gains in UP in 2014
Lok Sabha and 2017 state polls have largely come from the party's decision to field non-Yadav OBC leaders as well as strategic alliance with OBCdominated parties as Apna Dal (Sonelal) and SBSS. Overall, OBCs make up 52-53 % state's population in UP.
Image used for representational purpose only
