A delegation of the Dhangar community, led by former Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant “Babu” Kavlekar, has urged the government to expedite the community’s long-pending demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Goa.

The delegation met BJP Goa President Damu Naik and sought his intervention in taking the issue forward with the Central government. The community representatives urged Naik to lead a delegation to New Delhi and secure an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press for a resolution on the demand.

Speaking after the meeting, Kavlekar said the Dhangar community had been waiting for justice for the past 23 years and that the demand for ST status should now be addressed without further delay.

The community has called for a delegation to meet the Union Home Minister and present its case directly before the Centre, seeking early action on the reservation demand.

The delegation maintained that the prolonged delay had caused a sense of injustice within the community and appealed to the government to take concrete steps towards resolving the issue.

Damu Naik said efforts by the government on the matter were already underway and assured the delegation that the demand would be pursued.