PANAJI: The homes of around 17 families of the Wanarmare nomad tribe in Nirancal village, Central Ponda taluk, were razed by a mob in October last year. However, 40 members of the tribal community voted in the Assembly elections on Saturday.
This was made possible by social activists, good Samaritans, social media, and the traditional media, who joined hands to rehabilitate around 70 tribals and managed to get basic amenities for them from the State administration.
When 40 of the 41 eligible tribals voted at an election booth at Galwada primary school in Nirancal, Shiroda constituency — nearly five kilometres from their huts — social activists celebrated the event on social media groups. WhatsApp groups, like that of ‘Thinking Not Allowed’, a platform used by activists to form the rehabilitation campaign — by networking individuals and government officials with activists — were abound with celebrations.
Politicians avoided visiting the tribals during the electoral campaign. Even Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who lent support to civil society activists and directed the State administration to conduct the rehabilitation — following a directive from State Human Rights body — avoided visiting the families after the attack.
Speaking to The Hindu , Gopal Pawar, a member of the community and the nodal person during the rehabilitation process, said, “None of the political parties or candidates visited us. We were excited and confused as we were voting for the first time.”
The State election machinery accorded voting right to 41 Wanarmare adults on November 15. A joint Mamlatdar from Ponda issued an order accepting the applications of the tribals as voters of Shiroda constituency in Ponda taluk, South Goa. The Bethora village panchayat and the locals were opposed to the step. However, the election officials accepted the claim of activists and lawyers that the tribals have been living in Bethora for more than six months. The enfranchisement was given on basis of Aadhar card and ration cards.
During the BRICS summit, on October 15-16, a mob of villagers had demolished the huts of the tribals and had asked them to leave the forest area, on the outskirts of the village. The police had booked 15 people, but arrested a lone villager.
Traditionally known for taming and killing monkeys that damage crops, to earn their livelihood, the tribals now work as daily wagers in sugarcane farming, domestic works, and labourers, among others.
The tribe also has a low ratio of females, as some of the clan members, who live in better economic conditions — in the neighbouring Sawantvadi district of Maharashtra — marry their women through a reverse dowry system. This forces child marriages in the tribe.
Goa People’s Forum activist advocate Satish Sonak said on Sunday, “It is just a beginning that 40 [adults of the tribe] have been enfranchised. Election Commission would do well to find out why one of them was left out. Instead of presenting pink teddy bears to first time voters, the EC authorities should have celebrated this historical event of voting by these first time voters.”
