MARGAO: In a continued effort for political reservation and tribal rights, the ‘Mission for Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa’ is set to launch the ‘Ulgulaan’ (Jan Andolan) movement. Rupesh Velip, the General Secretary of the mission, announced that a public meeting is scheduled for November 15, marking the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagawan Birsa Munda, the first tribal revolutionary who fought against British rule.
Despite the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s assurance on July 21, 2023, to take an all-party delegation to the Union government, there has been a lack of positive steps by the Goa CM and the State government to fulfil this commitment, according to Velip. The Mission had given a 15-day ultimatum on October 25, for a positive response, which, as per Velip, has not been met.
Expressing disappointment, Velip stated, “The entire Scheduled Tribe (ST) Community of Goa feels cheated and betrayed.” In response, the Mission, backed by 16 ST organisations, has decided to launch the Ulgulaan movement to draw attention to their pending demand for political reservation.
Spokesperson Govind Shirodkar reiterated the long-standing issues faced by Goa’s ST community during a press briefing on Monday. Despite constitutional provisions made by the State and Central governments, the ST community continues to be deprived of constitutional rights, basic amenities, TSP funds, land rights, forest rights, backlog vacancies, quality education, and agricultural benefits.
Shirodkar emphasised that political representation enshrined under Article 330 and Article 332 is crucial for securing the rights, interests, and future of Goa’s original settlers, the sons of the soil—the Scheduled Tribes.
President of the mission, Adv Joao Fernandes, urged all ST community members to attend the meeting on November 15 at 3 pm at Azad Maidan in Panjim. He stated, “We are the original Bhumiputras, deserving of all constitutional benefits. Let us ask for it with one voice. It’s our duty to stand up for the cause of the community and the future of our children.”