Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Pradesh Congress Party (GPCC) has accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government for “assaulting the very soul of the Indian Constitution” after the passage of the highly controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in parliament.
The Bill, which was passed in the Rajya Sabha after a marathon debate of six hours, has evoked sharp criticism from the Opposition as well as the North-Eastern States.
Addressing media persons on Thursday, GPCC spokesperson Trajano D’Mello said they are condemning the passing of the Bill. “We stand by our central leadership and condemn the CAB. It is an assault on the very soul of our Indian Constitution. This day has been declared as the darkest day of Indian Democracy,” he said.
D’Mello, who was accompanied by GPCC President Girish Chodankar for the briefing, further alleged that BJP-led governments have taken a lead to make communalism victorious versus secularism. “Our President (AICC President) will not rest till we take it to the court of law because this Bill is completely unethical and unconstitutional,” he said.
The party also questioned the fate of Goans who have accepted the Portuguese passport in the wake of this development. “Why Christian MLAs and ministers in the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet are silent over the issue. They should explain their stand on the Bill within 48 hours or else their silence would be interpreted as the support to it,” the spokesperson demanded.
“So many Goans opted for obtaining a Portuguese passport because the government has failed to provide them with employment. The only purpose to get the Portuguese passport was to survive because government has failed to create employment opportunities in the State,” he added as Chodankar also echoed his concern over this aspect of the Bill.
Chodankar also took a pot shot at the Goa government for huge borrowings citing it was hinting at corruption. “There are so many internal issues but our government is so insensitive. The government is only taking loans and indulging in wasteful expenditure. It shows corruption,” he alleged.
Blaming the government for only giving dates on Mhadei issue, the party has said they will protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi on December 15 over the central government’s failure to revoke the environmental clearance granted for Karnataka’s Kalsa-Banduri project.
