1 week ago
Haryana BJP Push for Meghwal Certificates Sparks Chamar Community Row
Haryana’s government wants to ask the central government whether some people listed as Chamar can use the name Meghwal on their caste certificates.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at a Meghwal community event.
A community organisation says many certificates already use the name Meghwal.
The issue became more complicated after Haryana placed Meghwals and Chamars in different Scheduled Caste quota groups.
Supporters say people should be allowed to use the name they identify with.
Critics say changing the label could divide the Chamar community and affect reservation benefits.
Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal said the proposal is not acceptable to her community.
The government has not yet made the proposed change, but plans to recommend it to the Centre.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will recommend allowing some Chamars to use “Meghwal” on caste certificates.
The proposal followed demands from the Meghwal Utthan Samiti at a Bawal event in Rewari.
The Samiti says nearly 60,000 Haryana caste certificates already mention “Meghwal.”
Critics, including Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal, call the proposal an attempt to divide the Chamar community.
The dispute follows Haryana’s October 2024 decision to sub-categorise Scheduled Castes into separate quota groups.
- Who
- The Haryana government led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the Meghwal Utthan Samiti, and critics including Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal.
- What
- A proposed recommendation to allow some people listed as Chamar to use “Meghwal” on caste certificates.
- Where
- At a Meghwal community event in Bawal, Rewari, Haryana.
- When
- The announcement was made Sunday; Haryana implemented SC sub-categorisation in October 2024 after the Supreme Court ruling of August 1, 2024.
- Why
- Supporters want Chamar community members to be able to use the Meghwal name, while critics say the proposal could divide the community and affect reservation classifications.
Critics and Community Opponents
Government and Meghwal Supporters
Changing caste labels
Critics and Community Opponents
Geeta Bhukkal and other critics say the proposal is unacceptable and could divide the Chamar community, which is already recognised as Scheduled Caste.
Government and Meghwal Supporters
The Haryana government and the Meghwal Utthan Samiti say people who want to identify as Meghwal should be able to use that term on their certificates.
Effect on reservation benefits
Critics and Community Opponents
Opponents question what would change by calling Chamars Meghwals and raise concerns about shifting people between separate SC quota groups.
Government and Meghwal Supporters
The Meghwal Utthan Samiti says Chamars and Meghwals previously had the same reservation status and wants other Chamar community members to obtain certificates using “Meghwal.”
Political motivation
Critics and Community Opponents
Bhukkal described the announcement as an alleged “divide and rule” effort that has caused resentment.
Government and Meghwal Supporters
The government presented the recommendation as a response to one of the Meghwal community organisation’s demands.
Key facts
- Announcing authority
- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini
- Proposed change
- Allow eligible people to use “Meghwal” instead of “Chamar” on caste certificates.
- Existing certificates
- The Meghwal Utthan Samiti claims nearly 60,000 Haryana certificates already mention “Meghwal.”
- Reservation classification
- Meghwals are listed among Deprived Scheduled Castes, while Chamars are listed among Other Scheduled Castes.
- Scheduled Caste population
- Dalits account for 20% of Haryana’s population, according to the article.
- Supreme Court ruling
- On August 1, 2024, the Constitution Bench allowed states to sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- Community geography
- SC members identifying as Meghwals mostly live in parts of Haryana bordering Rajasthan.
Quotes
Nayab Singh Saini
Chief Minister of Haryana
“As you have demanded, the members of the Chamar community want to adopt ‘Meghwal’ term, so that a person from the Scheduled Caste can use the term ‘Meghwal’ instead of ‘Chamar’. To facilitate issuance of such (Meghwal) caste certificates, I will make a recommendation to the central government.”
indianexpress.com
“The statement of the Chief Minister is wrong, and this is not acceptable to our community. They have already attempted to divide our community. Our caste is already SC under the Constitution. Why did he make the statement?”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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