SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Silchar, April 10: It is for the first time that a 2 day Yadav convention is going to be held on July 8 and 9 in order to discuss the various socio-economic issues faced by the community. This decision was taken at a meeting of the All India Yuva Yadav Mahasabha organized by its Assam Pradesh unit on Sunday at the premises of Hindi Bhawan here. Apart from the intellectuals, it was attended by the representatives of the community from diverse professions. The discussion which centred round the burning problems brought out into focus the present predicament of the community.
Basically, the Yadavs who are also known as Goalas form a significant segment of the total population of the country. According to Kunja Bihari Goala, president and advisor of the all India body, who presided over the meeting, said Ahir or Yadavs are the single largest community in India, comprising around 20% of the total population. They are scattered in Himachal, Rajasthan, Harya, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Uttrakhand, Gujrat, Maharastra, Tamil du and Kartaka. In Assam, he pointed out their population is around 15 lakh. Most of them live below poverty line.
Goala rued since independence Yadavs have been the victims of negligence and indifferent attitude of the respective state governments. They have been suffering in silence as they have tried to live with adjustments and are adaptable to any situation. “The sacrifices and contributions of Yadavs during the freedom struggle and post Independence are significant. In defence services, regular and paramilitary, our presence is no less significant. Yet, we have not got the justice we deserve,” he pointed out. It is with the objective of projecting their problems, the 2 day convention is being held.
Bhola th Yadav, state president, said in Barak Valley also, they have been neglected and discrimited against. Like the minorities, they are also utilized by the political parties and their leaders for the sake of their vote-banks during elections. “We have therefore decided to stand united and chalk out our own course of action plan to live with honour and dignity,” he said.
Ram Chandra Yadav, Cachar district president, gave a picture of their present plight in the context of the changing topography and the rapid urbanization. According to him, nursing and rearing cows for milk production has been their main profession and the only source of livelihood. From all reckoning, Yadavs have been living differently and distinctly. In the changing situation, the grassy lands are shrinking fast, making it difficult for the Goalas to take care of their cows. Moreover, the concrete jungle all around has told heavily on their traditiol way of life and living.
It is also significant that 20% of Nepal and 3% of the global earth population are Yadavs. Yadav is caste found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Middle East and claims descent from ancient king Yadu, the me of one of the five Aryan clans mentioned in the Rig Veda as ‘Panchjanya’, meaning ‘five people’. It is the common me given to five most ancient Vedic Kshatriya clans. The Yadav caste generally follows Vaishv traditions, and share Vaishv Dharmic religious beliefs. They are the worshippers of Lord Krish or Lord Vishnu.
It is also interesting to note that some historians find a connection between Yadavas and Jews. According to their theory, the Greeks were referred to the Jews as Judeos, or Jah deos or Yadavas, meaning people of Ya. In Russia, many Russians have surme Yadavas. James Tod demonstrated that Ahirs were included into the list of 36 royal races of Rajasthan.