The Goa government has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to approach the Supreme Court against the High Court’s interim order staying the notification of the State’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) population figures, a key step in the process of securing political reservation for the community.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in a video message, said he had spoken to Shah and requested him to challenge the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court at the earliest.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to securing political reservation for the ST community, Sawant expressed confidence that the provision would be implemented in the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.

"We are committed to give reservation and for that every effort would be made," the Chief Minister said.

The government’s appeal follows the High Court’s interim order restraining the Census Commissioner from notifying or publishing Goa’s ST population figures under the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Act, 2025.

The order has raised concerns over the timeline for implementing political reservation ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Sawant said the State government would pursue the legal hurdles with the Centre and seek its intervention to protect the interests of the ST community.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had also stated that the government would urge the Centre to approach the Supreme Court, maintaining that it would leave no stone unturned to secure political representation for the Scheduled Tribe community in Goa.

The High Court has directed the parties, including the Census Commissioner, to file their replies and rejoinders by November 19. The matter is scheduled to be taken up for the next hearing on November 25.