“The Bill’s passage comes after repeated delays. Introduced in August 2024, it remained stalled through two successive sessions — the Winter Session of December 2024 and the Budget Session ending in April 2025. The sudden passage of the Bill, amid protests and disruptions, highlights the power of sustained public pressure. Civil society organisations like the United Tribals Association Alliance (UTAA) and Mission Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa, along with leaders such as Adv John Fernandes and Capt Viriato Fernandes, have played a crucial role in keeping the issue alive in public consciousness and political discourse.”
In a momentous step towards social justice and inclusive governance, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2025. For the first time in the history of the state, Scheduled Tribes (STs) will be granted political reservation in the Goa Legislative Assembly — a demand that has lingered for over two decades.
The passage of this Bill is a watershed moment, not only for the ST communities but for the democratic fabric of Goa. It acknowledges a longstanding injustice: while the Scheduled Tribe population has significantly outnumbered the Scheduled Caste (SC) population since at least the 2001 Census, not a single Assembly seat was reserved for STs.
Meanwhile, one seat continued to be reserved for the SCs. This glaring disparity exposed the structural oversight in political representation — an oversight now finally being addressed.
The numbers speak volumes. As per the 2011 Census, Goa’s ST population stood at 1,49,275 — nearly six times the SC population of 25,449. And yet, political invisibility remained their fate. With the new legislation, a minimum of four Assembly constituencies will now be reserved for STs. This is not just an administrative correction — it is a matter of dignity, equity, and representation for a historically marginalised population.
The Bill’s passage comes after repeated delays. Introduced in August 2024, it remained stalled through two successive sessions — the Winter Session of December 2024 and the Budget Session ending in April 2025. The sudden passage of the Bill, amid protests and disruptions, highlights the power of sustained public pressure. Civil society organisations like the United Tribals Association Alliance (UTAA) and Mission Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa, along with leaders such as Adv John Fernandes and Capt Viriato Fernandes, have played a crucial role in keeping the issue alive in public consciousness and political discourse.
The credit also goes to the resilience of the tribal communities themselves. The Balli agitation of 2011, where two tribal youths tragically lost their lives, remains a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in this long journey toward justice. Tuesday’s development is a vindication of that struggle.
Yet, while this is a historic achievement, it must not be mistaken for the end of the road.
First, the Bill must now be passed by the Rajya Sabha, and subsequently acted upon by the Election Commission. The EC has the constitutional responsibility to redraw constituencies and reserve the required number of seats based on the 2001 Census. With the 2027 Assembly elections on the horizon, the process must begin without delay to ensure that the ST community does not face another missed opportunity.
Second, political reservation is only the beginning. True empowerment of Goa’s ST communities must go beyond token representation. Access to quality education, employment opportunities, healthcare, and land rights remain urgent issues. Representation without empowerment risks becoming symbolic.
The Chief Minister of Goa has rightfully welcomed the Bill, calling it a testament to the Centre’s commitment to tribal upliftment. However, the state government must now walk the talk. Policy focus must shift toward real development of tribal areas — building infrastructure, ensuring school retention, addressing malnutrition, and creating sustainable livelihoods.
As Capt Viriato Fernandes rightly pointed out, this is not merely a political issue — it is about justice, inclusion, and human dignity. Political space has finally been opened up to STs in Goa. What remains to be seen is whether this space will be used to truly transform the lives of tribal citizens.
This historic moment belongs to Goa’s tribal communities. Their long wait for rightful representation is finally bearing fruit. Now it is the duty of every arm of the government — state and central — to ensure that this is more than a symbolic victory. The promise of democracy is not just to represent the people, but to empower them.
Let us ensure that this first step leads to real, lasting change.
