People from the Dhangar community in Maharashtra. File
| Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini

The administration in Maharashtra’s Jalna district has imposed prohibitory orders in view of the Dhangar community’s agitation to seek inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, an official said on Saturday (January 17, 2026).

District Collector Ashima Mittal issued an order under Section 163 in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deals with prohibitory orders for public safety, nuisance, or danger.

The move comes amid apprehensions of an untoward situation, as Jalna and Ambad are considered epicentres of reservation-related agitations.

As per the order, the prohibitory restrictions will remain in force from 5 a.m. till midnight on Sunday (January 18, 2026) in Jalna and Ambad tehsils. Under the prohibitory orders, gatherings of more than five persons have been banned, along with the carrying of arms. All shops, business establishments, and educational institutions have been directed to remain closed.

According to the district administration, Dhangar community leader Deepak Borhade had planned a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, for which the police had denied him permission.

Mr. Borhade and his supporters are likely to leave for Mumbai from Ambad, Jamkhed, Pachod, Dawalwadi, Paithan Naka, Shevgaon, Ahilyanagar, Pathardi, Pandharpur, Sangola, and Pune, which could lead to law and order issues, the order stated.

The Dhangar community, traditionally shepherds and cattle-rearers, constitutes nearly 9% of Maharashtra’s population. It currently enjoys 3.5% reservation under the Nomadic Tribes (NT-C) category within OBCs.

However, the community wants to be recognised as STs, citing the constitutional recognition of “Dhangads” as an ST group and asserting that Dhangars and Dhangads are the same.

Published – January 17, 2026 11:38 am IST