Team Herald
MARGAO: The Gomantak Bhandari Samaj on Monday thwarted an attempt by a non-Goan to change surname to Naik.
A woman had applied for change of name from Laxmi Vishwanath Kazidoni to Nisha Vishwanath Naik.
The Gomantak Bhandari Samaj raised an objection following an advertisement appearing in a newspaper regarding the change of name.
Gomantak Bhandari Samaj president Ashok K Naik, Salcete taluka president Dhananjay Mayekar, Suraj Naik and others were present for the hearing today.
The applicant and her advocate had appeared earlier last month in this matter. The Gomantak Bhandari Samaj questioned them on what documents they possessed to support the application.
The applicant said she has marriage certificate, but the Samaj office bearers asked whether she had the birth certificate of her father born before 1968. Their advocate informed that they would come on November 25. However, neither the applicant nor the advocate appeared.
“This is a fraud going on in Goa. People from other States are coming to Goa and changing their surname to Naik. As per a reply given to former Chief Minister Ravi Naik, 16,000 people have changed their surname to Naik in the last 20 years. Where will the original Bhandaris and OBCs go if the outsiders are going to do such things,” asked Ashok K Naik.
“If this continues, it will be a problem for not only the Naiks but, the 20 OBCs too. The persons, who have changed their names to Naik, will benefit as they will get OBC certification on the basis of surname,” Naik added.
The All Goa Bhandari Samaj has requested people to contact the media and complain to Sub Registrar if they come across any such cases.
