Lucknow, March 23 -- Launching his party's campaign for the 2027 assembly election in Gorakhpur on Sunday, Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (Nishad) party chief and Uttar Pradesh fisheries minister Sanjay Nishad pressed for Scheduled Caste (SC) status for Nishads and 21 other sub-castes associated with riverine communities. Currently, these sub-castes are categorised as OBC.

Addressing a gathering at Digvijay Nath Park, Nishad said reservation is a right, not charity, and called for restoration of traditional rights over rivers, fishing and sand mining ghats. The event saw a 3,000-bike rally and participation from workers across eastern UP.

Demanding Scheduled Caste (SC) status, Sanjay Nishad reportedly broke down on stage during th...