Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: After UTAA leaders indirectly rebuked for forgetting the sacrifice and martyrdom of two ST youths in the infamous 2011-Balli UTAA agitation, Canacona MLA and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar visited the residence and garlanded the bust of late Manguesh Gaonkar at Ziltawadi-Gaondongrim on Thursday.
Tawadkar, later participating in the program at South-Goa BJP Office by BJP’s ST Morcha at Margao, paid rich tributes to the late Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip, who were killed in the fire arson at the 2011 Balli agitation demanding constitutional rights of the ST community.
Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, Former Dy. Chief Minister Babu Kavlekar, ST Morcha Goa Pradesh President Prabhakar Gaonkar, and ST Morcha Goa office-bearers were present at the program organised by Bharatiya Janata Party ST Morcha Goa Pradesh.
Earlier, paying rich tributes to the sacrifices of Mangesh Gaonkar at his Ziltawadi residence, in the presence of Gaonkar’s family said ‘, His (Mangesh) sacrifices in the pursuit of the ST (Scheduled Tribes) movement will always be remembered and honoured. The bravery and dedication demonstrated by Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip are truly admirable. They gave their lives for a noble cause, standing up for the rights and aspirations of the ST community. Their unwavering commitment serves as an inspiration to us all, Tawadkar said
Incidentally, Mangesh (M.A -Arts Double Graduate ) was a front-run associate, activist and companion of Ramesh Tawadkar, the then MLA (Poinguinim), who led several ST youths under Adarsh Yuwa Sangh and Balram Education Society in pursuit of ST demands.
“As we remember Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip, let us also reflect on the importance of the ST movement and the need to ensure the well-being and empowerment of marginalised communities. Their legacy will forever shine as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the long journey ahead and the necessity to stand united in the face of adversity. May their souls rest in peace, and may their sacrifices never be forgotten, Tawadkar said in paying homage to the martyrd duo
