the goan I network
Valpoi
The campaign demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Dhangar community has gained momentum across Sattari, with awareness meetings and community gatherings being held to press the government to consider the long-pending demand.
A corner meeting organised by the Goa Dhangar Samaj Seva Sangh, Sattari, at Bandirwada, Savarde, was held at the residence of Gangaram Babu Doifode, son of the organisation’s founder, the late Babu Bhalu Doifode. Community members from surrounding areas attended.
Dilip Vark, president of the Bicholim branch of the Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnati Mandal, said ST recognition would provide access to educational reservations, scholarships, concessions in professional education, government welfare schemes, financial assistance through development corporations, employment and self-employment opportunities, housing benefits and healthcare support. He spoke about the government process related to the demand and appealed to community members to remain united and pursue it through constitutional and democratic means.
Laxman Vark, president of the Ponda branch, spoke about the status of the demand, developments at the government level, the constitutional strategy and the proposed roadmap. He said ST status would strengthen political representation through reservation and increase Dhangar representation in local self-government institutions, the Goa Legislative Assembly and other elected bodies. Dhulu Dhondo Shelke, president of the Goa Dhangar Samaj Seva Sangh, said the demand concerned the community’s rights, dignity and identity. He urged the government to reconsider the demand before the upcoming elections and grant ST status to the community.
Laxman Lambor, former secretary and current Advisory Committee member of the Bicholim branch, stressed the importance of rural participation and urged Dhangar families to attend forthcoming programmes. The gathering resolved to continue the demand within the framework of the Constitution and through peaceful and democratic means.
