Blue Flags in the Storm: Nilanga Unites for Constitutional Rights Amid Torrential Rain

Nilanga : Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder lashed Nilanga on Thursday, leaving water flowing through the streets as common citizens sought shelter. Despite the harsh weather, a striking scene unfolded on the city’s roads. Undeterred by the pouring rain, men, women, youths, senior citizens, and children gathered in large numbers, holding blue flags and chanting slogans in support of the Indian Constitution. Many lacked raincoats or umbrellas, yet marched forward without hesitation. Led by the Action Committee Against SC Reservation Sub-classification, Nilanga, the rally served as a peaceful, disciplined, and constitutional demonstration, reaffirming the public’s faith in the democratic process.

The march began at Kasar Shirsi Road and moved in an orderly manner along major city routes, passing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk before reaching Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Park. Slogans echoed continuously throughout the downpour as families, seniors, and children participated enthusiastically. Upon arriving at the park, a public gathering was held where attendees urged the state government to withdraw its decision on the sub-classification of Scheduled Caste reservations.

Key Demands Submitted to the Administration

A formal memorandum was subsequently submitted to the state government through the Sub-Divisional Officer of Nilanga. The memorandum called for an immediate halt to SC reservation sub-classification and the rejection of the Justice Badar Committee report. It demanded full implementation of reservation policies, immediate filling of all vacant reserved positions across government, semi-government, university, and public sectors, and a special recruitment drive to clear backlogs while stopping any de-reservation processes.

The memorandum further urged the expansion of educational, scholarship, and research opportunities, alongside extending reservation policies to private, cooperative, and deemed university sectors. Key demands also included scrapping the creamy layer condition for Scheduled Castes and restoring the previous higher education quota for BARTI students. Organizers warned that if the government fails to take positive action regarding these demands, democratic protests will be further intensified. The rally concluded peacefully at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Park in the presence of numerous local leaders, social activists, and citizens.

A large number of office bearers from various social organizations, activists, women, youth, and citizens were present on the occasion, including Vilas Suryavanshi, Rajnikant Kamble, Prof. Rohit Bansode, Ankush Dhere, Dhammanand Kole, Satish Kamble, Dr. Pramod Hatagale, Arjunappa Katke, Vijaykumar Suryavanshi, Ramling Patsalge, Digambar Suryavanshi, Devdatt Suryavanshi, Dajibha Kamble, Bunty Kamble, Devidas Dhairya, Ankush Kamble, Ashok Kamble, Lahu Dhere, Suryakant Kamble, Angad Gawali, Pradeep Sonkamble, Amol Sonkamble, Yogesh Suryavanshi, Khandu Madale, Anant Kamble, Vilas Waghmode, Ulhas Waghmode, Laxman Kamble, Bhagwan Kamble, Laxman Vadgaokar, Angad Kamble, Sanjay Sonkamble, Tanaji Survase, Kashinath Jadhav, Prakash Kamble, Swapnil Kamble, Jaibheem Gaikwad, Anil Kamble, Rahul More, Subhash Kamble, Maling Gopale, Sunil Gaikwad, Madhav Landge, Dhanraj Bansode, Devidas Patange, Bhimrao Suryavanshi, Vasant Gaikwad, Yuvraj Jogi, Balaji Kamble, Dhanraj Kamble, Babasaheb Kamble, and Tanaji Gaikwad.