MARGAO
The Goa Dhangar Samaj on Sunday has taken strong exception to the reported remarks by Congress Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa directed at the Dhangar community reservations, saying they will not remain silent if the community or the leader of the community, ex-Dy CM Chandrakant Kavlekar is targeted by anyone.
Kavlekar later told the media separately that the Quepem MLA made a comment on the possibility of the Dhangar samaj getting the ST status and how it could impact the ST communities in the state.
Kavlekar as well as the Goa Dhangar Samaj pointed out that not a single leader, irrespective of political affiliations had ever spoken against the community on the issue of the ST status. “Our demand for ST status has been accepted by all the people and political parties across the political spectrum. What Altone stated at a function at Quepem is directed at the Dhangar samaj and its people. We will not remain silent if anyone dares target the Dhangar community”, a Samaj leader told the media.
Kavlekar said the Quepem MLA has no right to target the Dhangar Samaj in the event the community gets the ST status.
“We have been fighting for the ST status for the Dhangar community over the years. All the political parties have been sympathetic to our cause. I fail to understand what is the issue with the Quepem Congress MLA”, Kavlekar added.
