The Goa High Court’s interim stay on the issuance of a notification estimating the state’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) population has triggered strong reactions from Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai and ST leader Ajay Kholkar, with both raising concerns over the delay in political reservation for the community.

Sardesai described the interim stay as another setback to the long-pending demand for political reservation, accusing the government of making public assurances on the issue while the process faces legal hurdles.

Referring to the Mull Goemkars, Sardesai said Goa’s original inhabitants deserve clarity, accountability and concrete action rather than political assurances. He also questioned the government’s position in the High Court, stating that statements by the Chief Minister and BJP ministers supporting reservation must translate into tangible progress.

Sardesai called upon the ST community to unite and assert its constitutional rights through a democratic movement, stressing that political reservation is a matter of justice, representation and dignity.

Meanwhile, ST leader Ajay Kholkar launched a sharp attack on the BJP government and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over the delay in securing political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Goa.

Kholkar attributed the latest legal setback to delays in the political reservation process, the appointment of the Census Commissioner and the issuance of the Census notification. He said these delays had culminated in the High Court staying the issuance of the notification under Section 3 of the ST Reservation Act.

Terming the government “tribal virodhi”, Kholkar urged Goa’s tribal community to rise above political differences and launch a strong, democratic movement to demand accountability and secure political representation.