Margao: The Dhangar community has set Aug 15 as the deadline for state govt to act on its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, warning of a statewide agitation after Aug 27 if no decision is taken.The ultimatum comes after political reservation for STs was granted in Goa, while the Dhangar community remains excluded from the benefit. On Tuesday, a delegation led by BJP vice president Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavalekar met BJP state president Damodar Naik and urged the party to lead a delegation to Centre to pursue the community’s demand.The deadline was announced at a series of community meetings at Sanguem, Mollem, and Dharbandora over the past few days. Addressing a meeting organised by the Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnati Mandal in Sanguem, Laxman Kulekar recalled that former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had promised a decision within six months, while chief minister Pramod Sawant had assured one within 100 days.“Now we are losing patience, and we give govt the ultimatum that a decision has to be taken by Aug 15. Otherwise, we will be compelled to launch a statewide agitation after Aug 27,” Kulekar said.Former deputy chief minister and mandal president Kavalekar said the organisation had repeatedly raised the issue in the assembly and approached Centre but had received only assurances.Speaking at a separate meeting at Mollem, Kavalekar expressed confidence that the community would “definitely” secure ST status, claiming the necessary legal procedures had been completed and crediting the last eight chief ministers with supporting the demand.Former Kulem sarpanch Manish Lambor accused govt of misleading the Dhangar community and said its members remained united and capable of responding if the demand was not addressed soon.
