The Rajasthan tribal community has put forward a demand for the creation of a new state named ‘Bhil Pradesh’, a proposal that has been rejected by the state government.

The proposal included the formation of a new state by combining 49 districts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. There is also a demand to include 12 districts out of the old 33 districts of Rajasthan in the new state.

Read also: Internet Cut, Protesters Set TV Headquarters Ablaze: 10 Points From Bangladesh Anti-Reservation Protest

Apart from Rajasthan, tribal people from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra gathered for the meeting held at Mangarh Dham in Banswara.

Thirty-five organizations including Adivasi Pariyar, the largest organization of Bhil society held a mega rally on Thursday.

A delegation would meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the proposal of a separate state, MP Rajkumar Roat said Thursday while addressing the rally.

In the rally organized by the tribal leaders, newly elected MP Roat said the formation of a ‘Bhil state’ is long due and the Bhartiya Adivasi Party (BAP) is raising the issue with full strength.

Tribal minister Babulal Kharadi said a state cannot be formed on the basis of caste and if that happens, other people would also come forward demanding the same. “We will not send a proposal to the Centre,” he said.

He also added that those who have changed their religion will also not get the benefit of tribal reservation.

Read also: Air India’s Delhi-San Francisco Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Russia’s Krasnoyarsk

Ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, the tribal community sought to demonstrate their unified stance on the Bhil Pradesh issue.

Meanwhile, state minister Madan Dilawar apologized in the Assembly for his controversial remark regarding the tribal genealogy. He said that his comments were not intended to offend anyone and express respect for all sections of society.