*MLA Borkar enters House in traditional attire of ST’s to demand political reservation
*CM Sawant says calling attention on ST Reservation will be answered on Wed
Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Mission Political Reservation for ST protest heading towards Goa Legislative Assembly was stopped at Merces by the Goa Police.
Thousands of people have been protesting demanding political reservation to the ST community in the 2027 Goa Assembly Elections.
The protesting community said that despite constitutional provisions made by the State and Central governments, the ST community continues to be deprived of constitutional rights, basic amenities, TSP funds, land rights, forest rights, backlog vacancies, quality education, and agricultural benefits.
“Sawant and the BJP in Goa are waiting for the upcoming LS Election to be announced so that another fake assurance and empty promise can be given to the STs of Goa,” they said
“At that time, since BJP was the main opposition, it openly supported this agitation. However, after coming to power, it appears that BJP has become blind to the main demand of political reservation,” they added
They also highlighted the sacrifice made by the ST community during the Balli agitation of 2011, in which two youths lost their lives while protesting for political reservation and 11 other demands.
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar also employed an innovative method to highlight the demand for political reservation for Scheduled Tribe community in the state.
Viresh entered the Assembly Complex in a traditional attire of ST community which is banian, dhoti and pagadi. He was stopped at the entrance of Assembly Hall for a minute for his attire.
However, he was allowed in the assembly Hall after getting clearance from a higher authority. Viresh charged that the government is not notifying the lands and villages of ST community under the pressure of Delhi builder lobby.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant refused to answer the calling attention on ST Reservation, Sawant said that he will reply on the issue on Wednesday.