PANJIM: The government has come under severe criticism from a section of writers in view of recent crackdown on peaceful protesters demanding justice to late priest-turned-social activist Fr Bismarque Dias and FTII students.
“The government has been attempting to silence dissenting voices by resorting to draconian and intimidating measures. The government’s actions directly target citizens’ fundamental right to freedom of expression, and are tarnishing the image of Goa, which has always been known for its open, plural and vibrant culture,” reads a joint press statement released by 27 noted writers.
The enforcement of section 144 at the beginning of the International Film Festival of India and denying FTII students opportunity to learn various facets of film culture has fumed the front. “Their civil liberties and fundamental rights were denied. Such an attitude is unacceptable,” it states.
On 21 November, the police arrested hundreds of citizens who had come to be part of a peaceful, democratic protest demanding that the suspicious death of Fr Dias be seriously probed by an independent agency. Thereafter, two film students of FTII were arrested for opposing the present FTII Society panel during the IFFI inaugural.
“The students were particularly targeted and deprived of the opportunity to learn about and view the best of international cinema, interact with senior film-makers and hone their own film-making craft. When students attempted to voice protest at the turn of events, the government responded with a crackdown that has ruined the convivial atmosphere of the film festival,” they said.
The members, including Fredrick Noronha, Adv Albertina Almeida, Ben Antao, Savia Veigas and others have also taken a dig at Chief Minister Laxikant Parsekar’s comment that citizens do not have a right to protest. “We also call on the government to immediately initiate and facilitate dialogue in a free, cordial atmosphere, and not try to deal with dissent by behaving in an authoritarian and unconstitutional manner,” the press note, condemning the incidents, further reads.
