Lucknow: The demand for granting Scheduled Caste status to 17 most backward castes, which have a social structure similar to Dalits, had been going on for decades, governments from time to time made efforts for it, but soon the Yogi government cashed it in on its side. Along with the 17 most backward castes, including Kahar, Kevat, Sailor, Nishad, Kumhar, Kashyap, Bind, Prajapati, Dhiwar, Bhar, Rajbhar, Dhimar, Batham, Turha, Manjhi, Fisher and Godiya can now obtain SC certificates.

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In fact, the inclusion of 17 most backward castes in the Scheduled Caste quota was waged by former CM Mulayam Singh Yadav of the province, but his proposal went on the back burner.  It is reported that the population of these 17 most backward castes account for 14 per cent of the total population, which is a huge vote bank and also voted outright in favour of the BJP in the last election. Being extremely backward, it was neither able to take advantage of the backward castes nor the Dalits. In this case, they will benefit from the inclusion of these castes in the Scheduled Castes.

In fact, the SC status movement had been going on for many years. Not only Mulayam Singh Yadav, but Mayawati also tried to include them in the Scheduled Castes and the last attempt was made by Akhilesh Yadav. He had passed a resolution to grant SC status to these castes in the Assembly, but the proposal was stuck in the court and was put on hold.

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