Chandrapur, Sept. 19 -- Former minister and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Dharamrao Baba Atram has opposed the inclusion of the Banjara community in the Scheduled Tribes category, calling it inappropriate.
He asserted that the Hyderabad Gazetteer has no relevance to them and that nomadic communities and tribals are two distinct groups.
Atram alleged that some groups, including the Banjaras, are attempting to enter the tribal category under the guise of the Hyderabad Gazetteer.
"This is incorrect. We have our own Chandrapur Gazetteer, and the Hyderabad Gazetteer does not apply to Maharashtra. Those who want the Hyderabad Gazetteer should go to Hyderabad," he said.
He further warned that tribals form a significant population in the stat...