In October 2022 Hatkar collected 12,000 postcards from shepherds in Sangli, Yavatmal and Amravati, etc. with their many demands written on them, including lifting of the colonial 1927 Indian Forest Act that prevents shepherds from taking their livestock to graze in forests. He later met Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur and recently the new Dy CM Ajit Pawar at his residence, and they assured him the cabinet will discuss the issue soon.

‘Many still waiting’

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

During the monsoon assembly session in Vidhan Bhavan, the opposition took the opportunity and introduced the matter of the quota. Congress MLA Abhijeet Wanzari said “injustice” is being done to the pending OBC applications — 140 candidates are awaiting scholarships to study abroad. Kapil Patil, JDU MLC stated that OBCs who consist of more than 50 per cent of the population, even 75 seats is less. But BJP minister in charge of OBC affairs Atul Save claimed when he took the office, seats for the same were only 10, he increased them to 50.

Nevertheless, Hatkar  said this is a big win for his community and believes if more people from it study abroad, it will reduce the irrational inferiority complex they face before educated people. “It’s not only the seats that I have helped win, it also has reduced the deep rooted guilt that my community is being made to feel. The Forest Department has made my community feel like criminals just for grazing their animals so when they see authorities agreeing to my demands, that reduces,” Hatkar said.