MARGAO
Condemning the statement made by Union Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment of India Ramdas Athawale, the Mission political reservation for ST of Goa has asserted that the Minister does not have any details or knowledge about the ST population of Goa
The Forum has demanded to know how can the Minister say that the ST population in Goa is negligible when it was 10.23% as per 2011 census.
“Instead of fulfilling assurance given on the floor of the house of taking all party delegation to Delhi, BJP is trying to divert political reservation issue by using agents like Ramdas Athawale. He has no knowledge of Goa SC and ST population and their demands. This is a frustrated attempt to divert political reservation issue after huge response to corner meetings in Sanquelim constituency”, stated general secretary of Mission Political reservation for the ST communities Rupesh Velip.
Rupesh recalled that assurance was given on July 21 by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the floor of the House, but lamented that even after two months, there is no sign of taking all party delegation to meet Minister for law and Justice Arjun Megwal and Home minister Amit Shah.
He said Union Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment of India Ramdas Athawale has hurt the sentiments of ST people of Goa.
Demanding that Ramdas Athawale apologise for making a baseless statement, the Mission has demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should clarify now whether he is serious about ST Reservation and whether he will keep his word and take delegation to Delhi.
Wondering whether the Chief Minister’s assurance was just an eye wash, Rupesh, however, said the ST is firm in its demand that political reservation for STs should be given before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “Despite having 2 per cent of the population, one seat has been reserved for the SC in the Goa Legislative Assembly, which we appreciate. But, Athawale who claims to be Dalit leader is making baseless statement about ST population”, he added.
Rupesh has warned that the Mission political reservation for ST of Goa will intensify its movement all over Goa and will go to every village where there is tribal population and explain the people how the community has been cheated by the current government.
