Differences have emerged within the Bhandari Samaj over the issuance of community certificates and the legality of its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), with senior leaders making contrasting statements on the matter.
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Bhandari Samaj leader Ashok Naik stated that community certificates are essential for identifying members belonging to the Bhandari community and for obtaining OBC certificates.
He said the Samaj had started issuing certificates across Goa for this purpose, but later found that fraudulent certificates were being circulated. According to Naik, discussions were subsequently held with the then Revenue Minister, following which the government was urged to recognise only authorised certificates issued by the designated committee. He claimed that this move helped curb misuse and prevented the issuance of fake certificates.
Meanwhile, senior community member Devanand Naik alleged that the AGM conducted by administrator Sakharam Naik was not carried out properly and described the entire process as “totally illegal.”
Devanand Naik further stated that affidavits along with video evidence would be submitted before the court to determine whether the proceedings were conducted lawfully.
The developments have highlighted growing internal disagreements within the Bhandari Samaj over administrative functioning and organisational procedures.
