In Deoria, Angry Protesters Get Help To Say 'Baa' To Officials

Deoria, Uttar Pradesh: For over 3 hours on Friday afternoon, officials and onlookers at the district magistrate's office in eastern Uttar Pradesh's Deoria were in for an unusual sight: Over 2,000 sheep had descended on the government office.

Accompanying them were 500 men and women from the area's Dhanghar community, who were upset at the administration's slow pace in awarding them Scheduled Caste certificates.

The Dhangars are a nomadic community spread across a few states of India, primarily Maharashtra, whose occupation, historically, was that of shepherds. In Uttar Pradesh, they were recognised as Scheduled Caste a decade ago.

In 2013, the state government ordered that the certificates be distributed. The certificates, the community leaders say, will help their young men get better education and jobs.

In Deoria though, the community leaders say nothing has moved.

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"We have come here many times, given all our papers. In 2006, the Allahabad Court ruled that we should be given these certificates but no one seems to listen to us," said Raja Rampal, who led Friday's protest.

As the sheep were herded into the government complex, the police officers had a tough time deciding on a course of action. From trying to reason with the protestors to attempting to force the stubborn sheep into a small park, all measures they tried, failed.

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As a crowd gathered, a senior district official arrived on the spot with another set of assurances. "If they don't listen to us this time, we will bring more sheep the next time," Mr Rampal threatened before leaving.