Margao: The Akhil Gomantak Kshatriya Maratha Samaj (AGKMS), which claims to represent over 20% of Goa’s population, has warned Centre, state govt and BJP of serious consequences if political reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community is implemented without a fresh census.Reacting to the recent central govt notification on ST political reservation in the state legislative assembly, AGKMS alleged the move was based on outdated 2001 and 2011 Census figures and had hurt the sentiments of the Maratha community, which it called unjust and discriminatory.“By deciding to appease one community while hurting the sentiments of the Maratha community, govt has committed a serious mistake. BJP govt will have to face the consequences,” said AGKMS president Suhas Fal Dessai.The organisation’s clout is underscored by the growing political weight of the warrior caste — the Kshatriya Maratha samaj has become the dominant caste group in the legislative assembly. Seven MLAs and a fourth of the cabinet, including chief minister Pramod Sawant, health minister Vishwajit Rane and social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai, belong to the Maratha community.AGKMS reiterated four demands submitted earlier to govt: no implementation of reservation till a fresh census is conducted; public disclosure of caste-wise Census data; disclosure of ST voter numbers in each constituency; and delimitation with reservation rotated according to ST population.The Samaj said its demands had been ignored by BJP-led govts at Centre and state. “If BJP was genuinely concerned about the ST community, it could have given representation by fielding candidates in 10 constituencies. What was the need to hurriedly impose reservation without a fresh census?” it asked.
