SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Vivian Maverick Martins
Why the government of the day or should I say night (as it was formed in the night) trying to silence the voices of dissent and protest?
The latest arrest of innocent villagers in Sattari taluka by Goa Police for holding a press conference makes it clearly obvious that the government is trying to silence any voice that is capable of raising issues so that they get a free hand to destroy Goa.
Why can’t the government be tolerant and allow locals to speak out? The villagers wanted to speak of the ground realities and were merely asserting their views in a non-violent manner by following all necessary protocols. If people get arrested for holding peaceful press conferences, why preferential treatment is given to politicians who have broken several Covid-19 related laws by holding press conferences, public meetings, inaugurations, and attending parties over the last three months? The law is the same for everyone and should be applied in the same manner to all.
The Covid-19 pandemic had given the government an opportunity to serve society and bond the state with brotherhood. However, in the guise of Covid-19, the government is all out to sabotage democracy causing more chaos and uncertainty amid a pandemic. The new modus operandi of the BJP government seems to imitate authoritarian model of attempting to silence any kind of dissent; something that is the cornerstone of growth and accountability.
The police have been turned into puppets with the government pulling their wires and forced to follow their orders like yes men. It is appalling, how the government is using the Police, the front line workers, who are risking lives to protect people in the COVID situation for its petty political gains. When it comes to press conferences, protests, and social media posts, the government reacts swiftly marking them as enemies of the state and gives instructions to the police to make arrests.
It seems that the Home Department gets its information from PR agencies rather than intelligence agencies which it why at best innocent people get booked on frivolous charges while the drug lords, mining mafias, and other history sheeters have a field day.
With this government, there is little room for dissent as it is crystal clear that does not respect democracy so anyone who criticises the government and voice out their anger at State atrocities will be targeted. The government has already started implementing its sinister plan of destroying Goa with projects like double tracking of railways, Mopa, and other mega projects which have been vehemently opposed by Goans.
The government led by Dr Pramod Sawant should realise that criticism is necessary for improvement and that silencing those voices does not solve problems. If he thinks, that getting people arrested will instil fear in the minds of the people then he is highly mistaken as it will only unite us and make people stronger its fight to protect Goa.
