As the electoral landscape in Uttar Pradesh prepares for the upcoming elections next year, political factions are strategically positioning themselves to win over the Nishad community, which encompasses boatmen and fishermen.
Recent developments include the appointment of Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, a former BJP Member of Parliament from the Nishad community, as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) by the central government. Concurrently, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has assigned Rukmani Devi Nishad, the sister of the infamous bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi, to lead its women’s wing in Uttar Pradesh.
In addition, Sanjay Nishad, the leader of the Nishad Party and the state’s Fisheries Minister, who is allied with the BJP, is reinforcing his role as the primary political representative for the community. He has organized significant gatherings such as the Gurjar Kashyap Nishad Ekta Mahasammelan in Noida on April 5 and the Machhuara Sammelan in Gorakhpur on March 22, where he passionately advocated for the community’s interests.
Nishad shared with The Indian Express that the purpose of his Mahasammelan was to elevate issues related to reservations for the community and to unite Gurjar and Nishad voters in Western Uttar Pradesh.
Understanding the significance of Nishad votes is crucial, as the community, which includes various sub-castes such as Mallahs, Binds, Manjhis, Kewats, Kashyaps, and others, constitutes a vital electoral block. In Uttar Pradesh, they are categorized as Other Backward Classes (OBC), while in Bihar they are classified as Extremely Backward Castes (EBC). The community is also present in other regions, such as the Kaibartas in Assam and Jaliya Kaibartas in West Bengal, where they fall under the Scheduled Caste category.
Political analysts indicate that the Nishad community represents approximately 18-20% of the OBC votes in Uttar Pradesh. A senior BJP official remarked that Sadhvi Jyoti’s recent appointment may have prompted the SP to designate a Nishad woman for a key role, reflecting the competitive dynamics in the political arena.
Sadhvi Jyoti, known for her religious discourses, previously served as the MP for Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh, having won her first election in 2012 from Hamirpur. Meanwhile, Rukmani Devi’s appointment as the head of the SP’s women’s wing gained attention due to her familial connection to Phoolan Devi, a prominent figure in the party who was assassinated in 2001 after serving as an MP in 1996 and 1999.
Addressing inquiries about Rukmani’s new role, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav expressed satisfaction with the decision, noting the positive reactions on social media and underscoring her representation of women and her community’s struggles.
Rajpal Kashyap, the state president of the SP’s OBC cell, noted that Nishad voters are widespread across Uttar Pradesh, with some constituencies having over a hundred thousand members. He emphasized that by appointing Rukmani, the party honors Phoolan Devi’s legacy and emphasizes their commitment to rural women’s representation.
Kashyap criticized the BJP for only nominally appointing Nishad leaders to ministerial positions without making tangible contributions to the community. At his recent gathering in Noida, Sanjay Nishad acknowledged Rukmani’s appointment but challenged the SP’s commitment to the Nishad community, questioning the timing and actions taken to honor Phoolan Devi during the SP’s governance.
During his speeches, Nishad asserted that the votes of the Nishad community are not guaranteed for any party and highlighted the growing influence of his party beyond eastern Uttar Pradesh. He also made overtures to Gurjar voters, displaying images of Mihir Bhoj and promising to advocate for significant demands, including university status for Samrat Mihir Bhoj College and memorializing key historical figures in the region.
Lalmani, an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, specializes in the political dynamics of the Hindi Heartland, covering major parties and electoral events in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.
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