Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The demand for political reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Goa has taken a sharper political turn, with the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) calling upon the tribal community to gear up for another round of agitation to secure its constitutional rights.
Speaking at an awareness meeting in Balli, UTAA chief Prakash Velip accused the state government of failing to adequately safeguard the interests of the tribal community during the proceedings before the High Court.
Velip expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s handling of the case and questioned the assurance that the community would eventually get justice from the Supreme Court. He sought clarity on the grounds for such assurances when, according to him, the tribal community’s case had not been effectively presented before the High Court.
He also demanded an explanation from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over the non-submission of the Registrar General of India’s report before the court, calling it an important document in the matter.
Raising further questions, Velip sought to know how the Chief Minister had announced that Quepem, Sanguem, Priol and Nuvem would be reserved for ST candidates just a day before the High Court delivered its verdict.
He said the UTAA delegation, during a visit to the Election Commission of India’s Goa office, was informed that the state government had not sent the necessary data concerning the ST population to the authorities in Delhi.
Velip also expressed concern over the future of existing reservation provisions, cautioning that benefits enjoyed by ST communities in panchayats, Zilla Panchayats, government employment and promotions should not be taken for granted.
He argued that the community needed to remain united and actively pursue its demand for political representation instead of assuming that existing safeguards would automatically continue.
Describing November as an important period for the movement, the UTAA leader urged tribal communities across Goa to prepare for collective action.
He further indicated that the community could make its political displeasure felt in the 2027 Assembly elections, drawing a parallel with the political developments witnessed in 2012.
The UTAA’s remarks signal a renewed push for ST political reservation, with the organisation seeking greater accountability from the state government over the progress of the issue.
