The Karnataka based Sri Ram Sena chief Pramod Mutalik has reportedly announced his plans to come to Goa to set up a unit here soon. This announcement was made on the sidelines of the four-day all India Hindu Convention held at Ramnathi in Ponda.
The Sri Ram Sena, a self-styled right-wing outfit was banned in Goa in 2009 by the Congress government. Former Home Minister Ravi Naik had also banned the entry of the Sena chief in Goa. We do not need moral policing in the State. It will only create unrest. The Chief Minister has reportedly warned against fundamentalist elements taking law into their own hands after the Sena chief reportedly expressed his desire to curb Goa’s western culture of clubs and pubs. If such an outfit is allowed to set up base in peaceful Goa, it will only create tension and probably lead to law-and-order situation. The Sena Chief has already disclosed that the outfit will oppose Valentine day celebrations in Goa as it has done in Karnataka. This should be considered a serious threat to the peace that exists in the State. Goa has been a lesson in communal harmony for the rest of the country.
The establishment of a unit of the fundamentalist group will only cause tension among the people, specially the youth. Tourism has been the mainstay of Goa’s economy. People from all over the world visit the State as it has much to offer by way of entertainment. Pubs and parties have been a part of Goan culture for centuries and no one can change it. What was surprising was that the outfit has thought of setting up a unit in Goa only after the change of government in the state.
This is probably so because the group thought that the BJP government in the state will not object to it’s entry. But then Chief Minister has categorically stated that his government will not allow anyone to take law into his own hands. It would be in the fitness of things if the outfit is not allowed to set base in the state instead of taking corrective action latter on. We do not need anyone to give us a lesson in morality. Goa has a unique culture and we need to preserve this culture.
Goans are a happy lot and love to live in peace with others. It is true that every Indian has a right to establish a unit in any state of the country if it is within the constitutional frame work and is not a threat to the democratic values. But even then if an outfit is seen as a threat to peace and communal harmony of the State, it should be rejected by Goans as it would be disastrous for the State.
