Minister Athawale's U-turn on ST reservation in Goa, apologized for his statement, said - did not have correct information about the facts

Union Social Justice Minister Ramdas Athawale has taken a U-turn on his statement on ST reservation in Goa. Athawale apologized to the ST community and said that he did not have correct information about the facts of the state. He had said that it is not possible to give reservation to ST community because the population of ST community is very less.

Union Social Justice Minister Ramdas Athawale has withdrawn his statement about low population of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Goa and apologized. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale had said that the population of Scheduled Tribes is less, hence they cannot get reservation in the Goa Assembly.

In fact, in Goa, there is a demand to reserve four out of 40 assembly seats in the state for Scheduled Tribes. This demand is being made by various tribal organizations under the banner of Reservation Mission for the Scheduled Tribe community. The Goa Assembly had also passed a resolution demanding reservation for STs in the monsoon session.

'The population of ST community in the state is very low'

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale was questioned in a press conference regarding the demand for this reservation. In response to which he said that it is not possible to give reservation to ST community in Goa Assembly because according to the state census, the population of ST community in the state is very less.

'Union Minister Athawale's statement is very shocking'

This statement of Union Minister Ramdas Athawale was strongly condemned by Goa Forward Party chief Vijay Sardesai and Reservation Mission for Scheduled Tribe Community. MLA Vijay Sardesai said that BJP should respond to the statement of the Union Minister and clarify it. He said that the statement of Union Minister Athawale regarding reservation is very shocking. On this statement, the Fatorda MLA said that BJP and the Chief Minister's Office should clarify their response to the statement of Union Minister Athawale, as well as the people of Goa and People of ST community should clarify their position.

Athawale apologized for the statement

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, who was surrounded from all sides over his statement, apologized without any delay. He told reporters that he did not have correct information about the facts. He did not know that the population of ST community in Goa is 12 percent. Along with this, he said that he did not know that the Chief Minister of the state Pramod Sawant had talked about giving reservation in the Assembly. Therefore, he accepts his statement and apologizes to the people.

ST community is demanding reservation in the state

Let us tell you that the ST community has been demanding reservation in the state for the last two decades. The community has also talked about boycotting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if their demands are not met. In July, the Goa Assembly had unanimously adopted a private member's motion moved by ST leader and MLA Dr Ganesh Gaonkar, asking the government to It was asked to make provision for political reservation in the Goa Assembly.

The demand for political reservation has been raised for the last two decades. He has also threatened to boycott the Lok Sabha elections 2024 if reservation is not declared before the elections.