Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 14: The United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA), an umbrella body representing Scheduled Tribes in Goa, held a mass melava at Mardol on Thursday, intensifying its demand for political reservation ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
BJP leader and Priol MLA Govind Gaude addressed the gathering in a strong tone, asserting that reservation was a constitutional right of the tribal community and not a concession.
“Our community has been used repeatedly for political gains, but we have never bowed down. We will never bow down. Reservation is our right, not charity,” Gaude said while speaking at the United Sports Club ground in Mardol.
Gaude called for greater unity among the Scheduled Tribe community to strengthen the campaign for political reservation. A large number of tribal people from across Goa attended the gathering despite heavy rain.
Independent Cortalim MLA Anton Vaz, former minister Prakash Velip, former legislator Vassudev Meng Gaonkar and other leaders, including Govind Shirodkar, Durgadas Gaude and Vishwas Gaude, were present at the melava.
Gaude claimed that the UTAA's earlier struggles had also contributed to other communities, including those from the Other Backward Classes and Scheduled Castes, securing reservation in government employment.
“STs are not begging. We are demanding our constitutional right,” he said.
He also cautioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant against relying on advisers who oppose political reservation for the Scheduled Tribes.
“In future, no government can be formed without ST MLAs. Yet, I congratulate the CM for taking steps despite resistance,” Gaude said, while warning that the community was capable of showing those in power their place.
Gaude had lost his cabinet position more than a year ago following a speech at a similar tribal gathering in Ponda in which he had criticised the government's handling of tribal affairs.
Former minister Prakash Velip stressed the need to secure political reservation before the 2027 Assembly elections.
“Schemes for STs are the fruit of our struggle. People have set aside differences and come together in strength. We must continue to be united in the fight. In the next Assembly, four ST MLAs will enter. We must prepare to welcome them,” Velip said.
UTAA leaders also decided to seek a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu within a month to press for their demand for political reservation.
The melava concluded with a call for sustained mobilisation, with community leaders urging tribal people to remain united and intensify the agitation to ensure that political reservation is implemented before the next Assembly elections, scheduled for early 2027.