MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
Team Herald
Scheduled Tribe of Goa, who were engaged in a 5-day chain hunger strike at Azad Maidan, have called off their protest on Sunday evening. The leaders, including Rupesh Velip, concluded the hunger strike but affirmed their commitment to intensify their protest against the alleged denial of constitutional rights and demands unmet by the state and central governments.
The leaders expressed their frustration over the prolonged struggle since 2003, highlighting the betrayal and denial of basic rights, including the utilization of tribal funds, backlog job vacancies, pending tenancy cases, unfulfilled forest rights claims, and a lack of basic facilities in tribal areas. The community is particularly distressed by the delay in addressing their demands, ranging from support prices for cashew to quality education, scholarships, agricultural facilities, and self-employment opportunities.
The hunger strike, initiated on March 6, gained substantial support from ST communities, activists, NGOs, political parties, and representatives across Goa. Union Minister for State, Shripad Yesso Naik, was compelled to visit the hunger strikers following the movement's momentum. During the visit, he faced tough questions from the aggrieved leaders about the delay in resolving the issue despite promises made by Home Minister Amit Shah.
Opposition parties, including AICC in-charge of Goa Manikrao Thakare, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, and others, discussed the matter and pledged to raise it at appropriate forums for a swift resolution.
In response to the sustained movement, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the draft of the "Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes Bill 2024," aiming to provide political reservation to the ST community in Goa. However, the community and its associations vehemently opposed the draft bill, viewing it as an election tactic and a dilution of the straightforward legal process.
The proposed bill follows a time-consuming path, including approval by Parliament, census data notification, and delimitation commission proceedings, raising concerns about achieving reservation for the 2027 Goa State Assembly elections.
Community organizations reiterated that they originally sought four reserved seats, not a readjustment of existing seats. They condemned the draft bill as a political ploy and urged community members to remain vigilant against such maneuvers.
Despite alleged premature celebrations by the Chief Minister and BJP government, the ST leaders urged the community not to be swayed by ongoing political drama and to stay united in their common demand.
In response to the union cabinet decision, the leaders outlined resolutions at a meeting on March 10. They decided to engage with the 300+ ST villages to raise awareness about the denial of constitutional rights and, if the central government fails to issue the notification for reserving four seats, to strategize for electoral damage to the ruling BJP government in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The leaders, who concluded the hunger strike, will now focus on carrying the message and creating awareness within the community in the next 15 days, coordinating efforts with grassroots volunteers, NGOs, sports youth clubs, and Mahila groups across tribal villages in Goa.
