The Yadavs of Bengal have demanded an increase in the percentage of reservations for other backward classes (OBCs) and a welfare board for the community’s comprehensive development in the state.

The demands come ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and are likely to top the agendas of political parties. Yadavs make up around 12 per cent of the population in Bengal.

The Bangiya Yadav Mahasabha (BYM), an apex body of the community, organised a conference in Gazole block of Malda district on Wednesday. The demands were raised at the conference.

“We are a profession-based caste. Herdsmen and shepherds are members of our community. We provide milk and milk-based delicacies to the nation. Therefore, we deserve our dues from both the Centre and the state government,” said Haradhan Gope, the state president of the BYM.

Ujjwal Gope, the state president of the BYM’s youth wing, has said in Bengal, Yadavs, who mostly carry surnames like Ghosh and Gope, belong to the OBC category.

“At the national level, there is a reservation of 27 per cent for the OBCs. But in Bengal, the percentage is only 17. We want the state government to increase the percentage and make it on a par with the Centre. This will enable more members of our community to get facilities in education and employment,” he said.

Some others who attended the conference also said the state government should constitute a welfare board for the community. In Bengal, there are welfare and development boards for a number of hill communities, Rajbanshis and Adivasis.

“In the state, our community forms 12 per cent of the total population. In districts like Malda, we represent around 15 per cent of the population. The state government has constituted boards for a number of other communities and we, too, want a similar board that will work for the Yadavs’ development,” said Shyamchand Ghosh, the BYM president of Malda district.

Other demands which were raised at the conference included the restoration of the Ahir regiment in the Indian army. Earlier, there was such a regiment which had soldiers only from the Yadav community. The regiment is known to have played a major role in the Indo-China war of 1962.

The BYM, leaders said, will also press for the establishment of cold storages for preserving milk in each district across the state.

“The state should also provide loans and subsidies for cattle-rearing. It would largely help the community as a considerable portion of us are into dairy,” said a representative.