Rajaka community stages protest in Visakhapatnam seeking SC status

The Rajaka community in Visakhapatnam recently staged a protest at the Gandhi statue near the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation office, demanding inclusion in the Scheduled Castes (SC) list. Organised by the Andhra Pradesh Rajaka SC Sadhana Core Committee, the protesters urged the government to fulfill its promises made during the previous elections.

The Rajakas are already recognized as SC in 18 states and three union territories. Key demands include a commission on SC inclusion, pension at 50 years of age, protection laws, free power, ownership rights over tanks, and a ₹250 crore annual budget for the Rajaka Federation for subsidised loans. The protest, which saw around 500 community members participate, comes after decades of fighting for rights, with previous promises being unfulfilled. The committee plans to continue the agitation in other districts as well.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.