The general body meeting of Gomantak Bhandari Samaj, held in Panaji on Sunday, was dominated by a sharp demand to halt the issuance of caste certificates by the samaj body and to conduct elections within the next four months. The meeting was convened after the Bombay High Court granted permission to administrator Sakharam Naik to hold it.
Caste Certificate Issue Takes Center Stage
The question of caste certificates became the focal point of the proceedings. A member, Atish Mayekar, challenged the administrator’s authority, pointing out that neither the government nor the High Court had issued any directive authorising him to instruct community office-bearers to issue caste certificates. His arguments drew strong support from the floor.
Mayekar further questioned why the Bhandari Samaj body was issuing separate caste certificates when the state government was already doing so. He emphasised that the samaj’s role should not duplicate government functions, and that the practice could lead to confusion and potential misuse.
Demand for Elections and Financial Audit
Members also demanded a financial audit of transactions during the previous executive committee’s tenure. A resolution was subsequently passed to appoint an independent auditor for the purpose. The call for elections within four months was widely supported, with members arguing that the current administrative setup had overstayed its legitimacy.
The meeting highlighted growing discontent among community members regarding the management of the samaj’s affairs. Several speakers stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the body’s operations, particularly in financial matters and certificate issuance.
Background and Legal Context
The Bombay High Court’s permission to hold the general body meeting marked a significant development in the ongoing dispute within the Gomantak Bhandari Samaj. Administrator Sakharam Naik had sought the court’s nod to convene the meeting amid internal conflicts. The court’s intervention was seen as a step towards resolving the deadlock and restoring democratic processes within the community organisation.
The demand to stop issuing caste certificates by the samaj body reflects a broader concern about the role of community organisations in official documentation. Members argued that such functions should be left to government authorities to ensure uniformity and legal validity.
Way Forward
With the resolution to appoint an independent auditor and the call for elections, the Gomantak Bhandari Samaj appears to be moving towards restructuring. The next few months will be crucial as the community prepares for elections and addresses the financial audit findings. The outcome of these processes could set a precedent for other community organisations in the region.
