PANAJI | 9 July 2025 —
The Adivasi Congress Goa has submitted a powerful memorandum to the Hon’ble President of India, highlighting growing atrocities, forced displacement, and systematic denial of constitutional rights to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Goa and across India. The memorandum, led by Chairman Ramkrishna Jalmi, accuses the BJP governments at both Centre and State of pursuing divisive, anti-tribal policies that are endangering the future of Adivasi communities.
Chairman Jalmi warned that the BJP’s deliberate targeting of tribal rights, suppression of democratic voices, and misuse of state machinery risk triggering “a Manipur-like situation in Goa.”
Key Concerns Highlighted in the Memorandum:
National-Level Atrocities:
Madhya Pradesh Incident (May 23, 2025): Brutal rape and murder of a tribal woman exposes law enforcement’s failure to protect tribal lives.
Manipur Violence: Widespread sexual assault, including public stripping of tribal women, reflects the collapse of governance and rising communal tensions under BJP rule.
Local Issues in Goa:
The Adivasi Congress submitted appeals to North Goa Collector and South Goa Dy. Collector, demanding urgent action to safeguard tribal rights and halt religious and communal divisions within the community. They condemned attempts by certain organisations to stir hostility between tribals based on religion.
Divisive Agenda in Goa:
Called for an immediate ban on the Janjyati Suraksha Manch, accusing it of inciting communal tensions by demanding the delisting of Christian Gawadas from the ST list — a move that threatens tribal unity and constitutional protections.
State-Sponsored Land Grabbing:
- Khandepar Bandhara Project:
Executed without Gram Sabha approval, the project involved forced police entry into tribal land using Section 144, threatening homes and ecology. It was eventually withdrawn after massive public opposition.
- IT Project in Melauli:
Tribal women and youth were lathi-charged for protesting illegal land acquisition. The project was cancelled, not out of goodwill but due to public pressure.
- Karapur-Sankhali Housing Project:
Miss Vasanti Rama Salelkar, a lawful ST tenant, faced repeated harassment, threats, and attempts of illegal eviction in gross violation of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989.
Systemic Violations in Goa:
No Political Reservation for STs since 2003 despite constitutional mandate under Article 332.
Scheduled Areas Not Notified, leaving tribal land vulnerable to exploitation by miners and real estate lobbies.
Forest Rights Act Ignored: Over 9,500 claims remain pending with no Community Forest Rights (CFR) granted.
Diversion of TSP/DMF Funds: Of ₹2,500 crore allocated, only ₹300–₹400 crore reportedly spent on tribal welfare.
Backlog in Government Jobs and manipulated rosters that bypass ST reservations.
False Cases filed against tribal leaders like Ravindra Velip and Dr. Sameer Velip to stifle dissent.
Non-functional Tribal Advisory Council (TAC): An interim body formed without proper ST representation.
Tenancy & Mundkar Rights Undermined:
The BJP government is accused of diluting the Goa Tenancy and Mundkar Acts, enabling landlords and Planning Development Authorities (PDAs) to displace tribal families. Thousands await Sanads, while land conversions under Section 39A (formerly 16B) continue to threaten tribal settlements.
Demands Raised by Adivasi Congress:
- Immediate ban on Janjyati Suraksha Manch and similar communal outfits.
- Ordinance for 4 reserved ST seats in Goa Assembly before the 2027 elections.
- Notification of Scheduled Areas under Article 244(1).
- Fast-tracking of Forest Rights claims and pending tenancy Sanads.
- Presidential Commission of Inquiry into all tribal atrocities and illegal land dispossession.
- Audit of TSP and DMF funds over the last five years.
- Withdrawal of false FIRs against tribal leaders and activists.
Warning of Statewide Agitation:
“If BJP continues its bulldozing of tribal rights, the Adivasi Congress will launch a mass agitation in every taluka of Goa. We will not allow our forests, lands, and future to be auctioned to builders and cronies,” declared Ramkrishna Jalmi.
