In a bold move shaking up Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape, Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad has renewed his fierce demand to reclassify the Nishad community, particularly the Majhwar subgroup, from OBC to Scheduled Caste (SC) status. Speaking exclusively in Lucknow, Nishad asserted that this issue remains a core promise of the Bharatiya Janata Party and aligns with constitutional provisions.
Nishad highlighted that the Nishad community was originally listed as SC in the Constitution but was erroneously shifted to OBC later. ‘Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath raised this during his time as an MP, and the Social Justice Minister has also voiced support,’ he told reporters. He pointed to a 2025 government notification explicitly listing Majhwar at serial number 53 under SC categories.
The minister revealed he had written to authorities, prompting the Registrar General of India (RGI) to confirm Majhwar’s SC inclusion. ‘Based on the 1969 Section Manual, no extra documents should be demanded from our community for SC certificates,’ Nishad demanded, urging the state government to issue clear directives.
Accusing vested interests of foul play in the past reclassification, Nishad issued a stern warning. ‘If officials don’t comply, the Majhwar society will hit the streets in protests akin to UGC norm agitations.’ With 11 MLAs in his camp, he vowed to rally them for the community’s cause ahead of future elections.
Shifting gears, Nishad praised the 2026 Union Budget, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ‘Modi makes the impossible possible. Amid global economic turmoil, India’s growth stands out as a remarkable achievement,’ he said, underscoring the budget’s role in revitalizing the economy.
