The Aam Aadmi Party leaders has strongly condemned the recent statement made by Union Minister of State for Social Justice, Ramdas Athawale, that Scheduled Tribes (STs) cannot get reservation in the Goa assembly as their percentage in the population is very small.
After this remark was met with strong opposition, Athawale tried to backtrack, but AAP leader Prof. Ramrao Wagh said that his statement has exposed the BJP government’s true stance on political reservation for the ST community. It is now apparent that the BJP government has no intention to provide reservations for the ST community, and they are only using Faldo promises as a carrot to secure their votes. Wagh said that Athawale made this controversial statement despite being a Dalit leader, and questioned whether the BJP government attempting to sow division within the ST community with such tactics.
Wagh emphasized that the BJP government has failed to meet its promise of granting reservations to the ST community, and Athawale’s statement appears to be an effort to rationalize this shortcoming. Wagh stressed the crucial need for a caste census to ascertain the details of reservation, but lamented that the government has yet to initiate one.
AAP ST Wing State President Anil Gaonkar pointed out that we’ve all witnessed Minister Athawale’s speeches in the assembly, and it’s evident that he lacks seriousness. Given his seniority in politics, and being Dalit leader as well as Minister, it is expected that he should exhibit greater sensibility, and do thorough research before making comments on any subject.
Various tribal organizations under the banner of `Mission of Reservation for ST Community’ have been demanding reservation for STs in four out of 40 assembly seats in the state. Gaonkar urged the BJP government to conduct a caste census and reiterates its commitment to supporting the cause of political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the interest of justice and equity.
AAP Media Cell