“Hello Banjara – Chalo Dilli” Campaign Kicks Off in New Delhi; Community…

Representatives from across India unite in the capital to highlight historic injustices faced by the Banjara community and present a comprehensive set of cultural, constitutional and developmental demands.

New Delhi, 29 November 2025

A major mobilisation of the Banjara community took place in the national capital today with the launch of the “Hello Banjara – Chalo Dilli / Delhi Aao Banjara – Bajao Nangara” campaign. The national poster launch event, organised by Banjara Bharat in collaboration with the newly formed Akhil Bharatiya Banjara Maha Seva Sangh, brought together delegates and leaders from various parts of the country to collectively voice their long-pending socio-economic concerns.

Addressing the gathering, former MP and Chairman of Banjara Bharat, Ravindra Naik, emphasised that even after more than 80 years of independence, a large number of Banjara Tandas, Naglas and Deras spread across nearly twenty states still lack fundamental facilities such as safe drinking water, electricity, pucca roads, healthcare access and quality education. He added that despite their widespread presence in about 200 Lok Sabha and over 1,000 assembly constituencies, Banjaras remain politically marginalised due to their fragmented classification under SC, ST, OBC and VJNT categories across different states.

The meeting also spotlighted the legacy of Lakki Shah Banjara, whose once vast 350-acre Tanda forms the modern-day Raisina Hills—home to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and several central institutions. Community organisations renewed their demand for the resolution of pending land compensation, asserting that only partial allotment was made historically.

Leaders further appealed to the central government to secure and preserve significant Banjara-related heritage sites, including Lohagarh in Haryana, Mangarh in Rajasthan, Lakhi Sarai in Bihar, Mathura–Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Sagar Lakki Shah Lake in Madhya Pradesh, Banjara Hills and Golconda Gate in Telangana, Baba Hathiram Math in Tirupati, and Kadambur Hills in Tamil Nadu.

A detailed charter of demands was presented, calling for the inclusion of Banjara/Gor Boli in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, in line with the resolution earlier adopted by the Telangana Assembly. The community also sought uniform national recognition for all sixteen Banjara sub-groups under the principle of “One Nation, One Banjara” to end disparities in constitutional categorisation.

Among the major demands was the establishment of a National Banjara Tanda–Nagla–Dera Development Board to ensure basic public services reach Banjara settlements across the country. The organisations also pushed for the creation of a National Banjara Museum and a National Banjara University in Delhi and Hyderabad to strengthen research, documentation and cultural education.

The issue of harassment faced by nomadic Banjara youth involved in small trade and hawking was also raised, with leaders urging the government to issue official identity cards and ensure structured safety measures.

Recognising the low literacy levels among Banjara women, the community called for Banjara Women’s Residential Schools to be set up in 200 key districts. Additional proposals included naming prominent NCR roads after Banjara icons, forming a National Banjara Research and Development Commission, installing statues of Lakki Shah Banjara and Makkan Shah Lubana within the Parliament premises, launching a national train named “Banjara Bharat Rail”, and establishing a Banjara Regiment to honour the community’s martial traditions.

The campaign concluded with a strong message of unity and continued struggle, as organisers appealed to the central government to address these unresolved historical grievances and development needs without delay.