Nagpur, India: Thousands of Gowari community members marched to Samvidhan Square on Friday, demanding the immediate release of the K L Wadne Committee report and implementation of reservation for their community. The march, led by the ‘Adiwasi Gond Gowari Jamat Samvidhanik Hakka Sangharsh Kruti Samiti,’ began at Yeshwant Stadium and moved toward Tekdi Road, where they were met with heavy police presence.

The police set up barricades to prevent the protesters from moving further to avoid disruptions like the ones that occurred during similar protests in January. The demonstrators, wearing yellow dupattas and caps, filled Tekdi Road, chanting slogans and expressing their frustration with the government's delay in addressing their long-standing demand for reservation.

Though some protestors attempted to breach the barricades, the police successfully maintained control, ensuring that the protest remained peaceful. The march included many women, and the vibrant sea of yellow became a symbol of the community's unity and determination.

The protest was driven by the community’s frustration over the delay in the submission of the Wadne Committee report. Kailas Raut, President of the Kruti Samiti, stated that the committee, established to explore how to implement a Supreme Court ruling on reservations for the Gowari community, was supposed to submit its findings by September 6. However, the government extended the deadline by two months, further delaying action on their demands.

Ramdas Neware, another leader, criticized the extension, noting that the upcoming Assembly elections would impose a code of conduct, preventing any decisions on the reservation issue during that period. He called on the government to take immediate action.

Later in the day, a delegation from the community met with the District Collector and submitted a memorandum. Additional District Collector Tushar Thombre issued a letter stating that a meeting on the reservation issue would be held at the Deputy Chief Minister’s office on September 30, with relevant officers in attendance. A group of 10 Gowari representatives will be allowed to participate in the meeting.

After hearing this, the leaders returned to Tekdi Road to share the news with the protesters. While some were initially unwilling to end the protest, the demonstration was eventually called off around 7 p.m. after discussions with senior police officials. The hunger strike at Samvidhan Square will continue until the government meets their demands.