http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=022712
Sonia Gandhi Rekindles Hopes of Dhangars by Nandkumar Kamat THE ancient pastoral community of Goa-Dhangar-Gouly with just 7,583 population is one of the most vulnerable and backward community in the world. It was not included as a "tribe" in the schedule of the constitution along with the rest three tribes — Gavade, Kunbis and Velips in 2002. The BJP government led by Mr Manohar Parrikar had taken some laudable steps to address their grievances. The Congress party was always sympathetic to them but the political condition in Goa and at national level did not permit their leaders to follow up the case at the highest level. Taking the benefit of the visit of Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, the chief minister Mr Pratapsing Ra ne raised the issue of granting them the "Scheduled tribe" status in the presence of Quepem MLA and GIDC chairman Mr Chandrakant Kawlekar who belongs to that community and has been consistently in the forefront to champion their cause. Soniaji was sympathetic to the issue and agreed to meet the members of the community. Despite her busy schedule on February 23, before the inauguration of the Rajiv Gandhi IT habitat, an appointment was fixed at Cabo Raj Bhavan. It was a very brief meeting but as a member invited to be a part of the delegation of the Dhangar-Gouly community of Goa, I returned with a positive feeling that at least now the long pending demand of the community may be met because none other than the Congress party president and chairman of UPA national coordination committee Madam Sonia Gandhi had shown sympathy and understanding of their case. I have met many national and international politicians but the simplicity and the positive approach of Sonia Gandhi was touching. Since 2003, thanks to the pro-active approach of ex-leader of the opposition and senior tribal leader of Goa, Dr Kashinath Zalmi, I was given an opportunity to be of some service to the community specifically to prepare an ethnological report officially under the chairpersonship of sociologist Dr Bernadette Gomes in 2003 and to advocate their case at government level. The delegation which met Mrs Gandhi under the leadership of Mr Chandrakant Kawlekar had requested me to present their case to her in brief. When we reached Raj Bhavan there were many women from the community dressed in their colourful traditional attire. But the security people did not permit more than six members at a time. When we were called in, I found that in the main hall Soniaji was surrounded by a group of Dhangar-Gouly women. Mrs Margaret Alva and State congress president, Ponda MLA Shri Ravi Naik were accompanying her. Soniaji appeared different to me compared to her image portrayed in the media. She was all smiles, very disarming and welcoming. Having sensed the importance of the time I told her that the issue of granting "Scheduled tribe" status to the Dhangar-Gouly community is an issue of empowering the weaker sections — a commitment of her government and the Dhangar-Gouly community of Goa is one of the most vulnerable tribal community on earth. They have no title to their traditional pastures, their dwellings and could be easily displaced. When I showed her the copy of the official ethnological report, she said, "could I have that report?" I immediately gave her my personal copy and told her that it is being examined by the Registrar General of India (RGI) to determine whether the Dhangar/Gouly community deserves a "Scheduled tribe" status. Madam Soniaji, I said, it may need a constitutional amendment to include the community as "scheduled tribe". Since she had shown keen interest in studying the issue I could see that the report would be very useful to make a strong case. The president of Dhangar Samajonnati Mandal Mr Laxman Kawalekar then presented a memorandum to her. We left the hall with a positive impression because Soniaji appeared to be genuinely sensitive to the issue which she had already discussed during the previous night's dinner at the chief minister's residence. Now after personally meeting the community members and getting a copy of the official report and the memorandum there was a definite possibility that she would take some positive steps after reaching New Delhi. It is really pathetic that the Dhangar-Gouly community leaders have been made to run from pillar to post on their genuine demands for the past 40 years. Earlier their case was rejected because the previous report did not convince the RGI that they deserved a "scheduled tribe" status. So when the constitutional amendment was moved in 2002, three other communities of Goa earlier classified as OBCs were included as "scheduled tribes". The Dhangar-Gouly community scattered in 110 hamlets in ten talukas of Goa except Tiswadi was disappointed. Efforts began afresh to prepare a new ethnological report. The government led by Mr Manohar Parrikar gave the community leaders a sympathetic treatment. Mr Parrikar also provided funds of Rs 25 lakhs for the welfare of the community in the 2004 budget. There was a plan to appoint a state level Dhangar-Gouly welfare committee under the directorate of social welfare. But it has not yet materialized. Education minister Mr Luizinho Faleiro had personally presented their case to the home ministry at New Delhi. Meetings were held with the social welfare minister Mr Subhash Shirodkar. He supported the interim recommendations made by the Gomes committee. These had included a socio-economic package, statutory provision to protect them from eviction, education and health facilities for the women and support to showcase their tribal cultural talent. The community leaders have been following these issues but the administration has been moving very slowly. If the Dhangar-Gouly community is not included as "scheduled tribe" then it would send a wrong message to the weaker sections. It would also become an international human rights issue under the United nations human rights charter and the UNESCO concerns for the marginalisation of minority tribals. The community accounts for just 0.56 per cent of the population of Goa and has a proven tribal character as documented in the Gomes committee's ethnological report. Since Soniaji is now seized with the issue the state government needs to deliver the community the promised socio-economic welfare package. All the political parties have supported their demands. An assurance had been given in the assembly that the Chief minister would lead an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister on this issue. But the visit has not yet materialised. The government owes the community Rs 75 lakhs provided in the past three years' budget. The state level Dhangar-Gouly welfare committee has to be constituted without delay. If the Congress party head appears so sincere in understanding the issue, the local government should now also show its concern sincerely. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
