Former Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant alias Babu Kavlekar has reaffirmed the Dhangar community’s resolve to continue its fight for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, urging members of the community to remain united until their long-pending demand is fulfilled.
Kavlekar was speaking at a gathering organised by the Bicholim Taluka Dhangar Samajonnati Mandal at Kasarpal in Bicholim to press for the grant of ST status to the Dhangar community.
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Addressing the gathering, Kavlekar said the community was taken aback when the Central Government referred the proposal for ST status back to the Goa Government at a stage when the demand was close to being realised.
He said Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant subsequently took up the issue with the Centre by writing to the Union Government and highlighting the ground realities and concerns of the Dhangar community.
Kavlekar, however, expressed disappointment that the issue had not been raised in the Goa Legislative Assembly over the past four-and-a-half years. He claimed that no MLA had discussed the matter in the House during this period and suggested that had it been raised, the Chief Minister would have been compelled to respond.
Despite the delay, Kavlekar said the community continues to have faith in the present government and has exercised patience in pursuing its demand. He asserted that the Dhangar community would continue its democratic struggle until Scheduled Tribe status is granted.
Calling for solidarity, he urged members of the community to remain united and actively support the movement to secure justice and constitutional recognition for the Dhangar community.
