The interesting bit about Siddi’s appointment is the fact that he becomes the country’s first legislator from Karnataka’s Siddi community which traces its roots to Africa. Siddi serves as the state secretary of the Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, a tribal welfare initiative of the RSS. “We are found only in Mumbai, Goa and the Western Ghats of Karnataka,” Siddi told PTI. Shantaram Siddi, a first graduate from Siddi Community of Karnataka who worked for the betterment of Vanavasis has been chosen as MLC today by @BJP4Karnataka . “I am not thinking of the Siddi community alone, I am equally concerned about the entire tribal community of the state,” Siddi said“There are many communities like Dhangar Gawli, Kunbi, Halakki Vokkaliga...all live like tribes but are not scheduled as tribes.

Source: Hindustan Times July 24, 2020 08:50 UTC