PANAJI: The United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) has announced a statewide agitation demanding the immediate implementation of political reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Goa, culminating in a 'Chalo Panaji' Mega Rally on August 13.
Addressing a press conference today, UTAA President Prakash Velip said the alliance would launch ward-level awareness campaigns across Goa to mobilise support and press for the implementation of the law providing political reservation for the Scheduled Tribe community before the 2027 Assembly elections.
Velip said the movement was aimed at ensuring that the Gawda, Kunbi and Velip communities receive political reservation in time for the next Assembly polls.
"We have already missed four elections since securing Scheduled Tribe status. This time, we are determined that the 2027 Assembly election will be held with political reservation for the ST community," Velip said.
Recalling the long struggle for ST political reservation, he said several organisations had worked for over two decades, organising rallies, marches and protests, while many activists had faced police action, court cases and even lost their lives during the agitation.
He said a UTAA delegation, accompanied by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other leaders, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2024 and was assured that political reservation would be implemented before the 2027 elections.
"The Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament and has become law. All legal formalities have been completed. What remains now is a political decision by the government to bring it into force," Velip said.
Expressing concern over the delay, he added, "It has been nearly a year since the Act was passed. We have serious doubts about why it has still not been implemented. This is our constitutional right under the Constitution framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar."
Velip announced that UTAA would restart its grassroots mobilisation programme, reaching all ST-dominated wards across Goa.
"Our office-bearers will go from ward to ward and village to village, meeting every household to explain the sacrifices made over the past 20 years and why our constitutional right is still pending. We appeal to all ST leaders, youth and the community to unite behind this movement," he said.
He also appealed to political parties to support the demand while clarifying that the agitation would remain community-led.
UTAA Vice President Govind Shirodkar accused successive governments of delaying the implementation despite repeated assurances.
"It has been a year since the Bill was passed, yet the notification has not been issued. The government has been taking the ST community for granted for the last 23 years. Do not take us for granted any longer," Shirodkar said.
He warned that the community was united and prepared to intensify the agitation if the delay continued.
"We will reach every village and every ward. Our entire community is united. If the government genuinely intends to implement political reservation, it must issue the notification before the election process begins," he said.
Shirodkar said UTAA would no longer issue time-bound ultimatums.
"Our ultimatum begins today. Every single day from now is an ultimatum. The movement has started and it will continue until the notification is issued," he added.
UTAA Vice President Adv Joao Fernandes appealed to elected representatives and community leaders not to weaken the agitation.
"I appeal to our MLAs, ZP members, social activists and all members of the community not to work against this movement. Even if you cannot actively support us, please do not oppose a movement created for the welfare of the community," Fernandes said.
Responding to questions from reporters, Velip maintained that all four ST MLAs, ministers and community representatives were united in support of the movement.
He also alleged that both the Congress and BJP had failed to implement political reservation despite the demand being pending for over two decades.
"Whether it was the Congress or the BJP, we have missed elections for 23 years. There is no need for another Act or parliamentary approval. The government only has to issue the notification to operationalise the reservation process," Velip said.
UTAA said its awareness campaign would continue across Goa in the coming weeks ahead of the August 13 mega rally in Panaji, which it described as a decisive step in its campaign to secure ST political reservation before the 2027 Assembly elections.
