FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
The bogey of national security
Giving emphasis to the 'bail, not jail' dictum, the Supreme Court has unequivocally said that a person cannot be indefinitely kept in jail with an open ended investigation by probe agencies on a conjectural apprehension that the activities of an accused could involve a larger conspiracy detrimental to national security.
These observations were made by the Apex Court while granting bail to an alleged cattle smuggler who has been in prison since November 2020 with a charge sheet yet to be filed against him.
Sedition and UAPA laws are being misused by government agencies to keep people incarcerated in jails without any recourse to legal advice on grounds of a dubious interpretation of 'national security'.
Vinay Dwivedi,
Benaulim
Voters to have a wide choice
National Voters Day was celebrated on January 25. The day is celebrated every year to encourage more young voters to take part in the election process. Goans will be exercising their franchise on February 14. There has been hectic pre-poll activity in the state. Politicians, including the seasoned ones, have been changing their party affiliations at the drop of a hat. What is even more amusing is that there have been several “home-comings” as some of them have come back to the parent party or will contest the elections as independents.
Be that as it may, 2022 polls will be a path breaking election for the State. With political parties from other States getting adequate support from the local political leaders, voters will have a wide choice. The question before them would be whether to vote for the candidate on merits or to vote for a political party. There have been voters who, for years, have been voting for a particular party. This could change in these elections. The voters also have the NOTA (None Of The Above) option to choose from. However the option should be used as a last resort. Every voter needs to make his/her vote count.
Adelmo Fernandes,
Vasco
Has the BJP lost its way in Goa?
That BJP appears to have lost its way and taken to the gutter of opportunism, particularly in Goa. BJP is now at its most trying crossroad.
The open revolt and rebellion being witnessed within the BJP comes as no surprise, for its Goa unit has chosen a rank mercenary path. Under the Chief Minister it has clearly lost its earlier way and even the camouflage of decency and inclusiveness.
The humiliating treatment meted out to one of the founders of the party in Goa left the former chief minister with no other option. The son of late Manohar Parrikar was anguished that a tainted MLA with criminal antecedents was given the Panjim ticket. The ex-Calangute MLA also chose his new path over the double standards of the BJP in selectively giving two seats in a family despite his wife being a politician in her own right as the sarpanch of Parra for the last decade.
When the votes are counted on March 10, the BJP may have to grapple with the reality of losing all the five seats of Tiswadi that were assured to be wrested by one MLA. The BJP will also have to come to terms on the effect in Bardez due to the former Calangute MLA’s departure from the saffron party.
Aires Rodrigues,
Ribandar
Russia-Ukraine tensions escalating
The rising geopolitical tensions between Russia and US-led NATO over Ukraine are a matter of grave concern. War clouds loomed as Russia escalated its menacing posture against Ukraine, including deploying over 1,00,000 troops and weaponry around Ukraine, despite the Kremlin’s insistence it is not planning a new incursion. The US, Britain and Australia ordered diplomats’ families to leave Kiev, while France told its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine.
President Biden is also considering deploying warships and aircraft to NATO allies and imposing sanctions on Moscow. The fear of a Russian attack on Ukraine sent global markets crashing, and the Russian central bank suspended foreign currency purchasing after the rouble slumped.
N J Ravi Chander,
Bengaluru
‘Bulli’ boys and ‘sulli’ deals
There has been an increase in bullying whether on land, online or in the sea. Fishing vessels from neighbouring States have been seized for fishing illegally in Goan waters. On the roads indisciplined riders are found to be bullying those following the rules. It has become necessary for the RTO to stand with a rope across the road as is done by Goan youth with an old man effigy at the new year time.
We also cannot rule out the possibility that at least some in the police force have been recruited from gully bullies. It is imperative that parents keep tabs on the activities of their wards. This will help curtail bullying.
Vinay Rodrigues, Margao
Goa election confusion
The election fever is on but the people are in confused mind since there are number of parties in the field, other than the national parties, i.e. Congress and the BJP.
The new entrants are promising heaven but the question how much we can take their word for granted. The Congress is in a fix to decide as to whose support they should take to form the government in case the need arises. To rely on persons who had ditched the Congress at the last moment, thus allowing BJP take the overnight advantage and form the government.
In the present scenario the reliable parties are only the MGP and the TMC. Thus we may have a reliable government for a full term. Then only we will be able to look after the interest of Goa and Goans.
Antonio F Fernandes, Cansaulim
Faux supplicants
Politicos have now started beseeching the gods in another charade to hoodwink the janta; election campaigns are being flagged off from temples, masjids and churches seeking benediction from assorted deities.
We have been bombarded with images of our CM visiting different temples and mutts with a huge entourage and reverentially bowing down his head before the idols promising to make Goa heaven if given a chance again. There's a new twist, parties are carting their candidates to religious places and asking them to take a vow of non- defection if elected to the assembly.
Another Delhi based party recently asked their members to submit affidavits to the effect that they won't switch parties if successful at the hustings. These shenanigans constitute a theatre of the absurd at best and downright deceit at the worst.
It is pertinent to note that right after these yatras and affidavit signing sprees many candidates defected to other parties in the fond hope of securing a brighter future for themselves. What can one expect of such scoundrels after they actually manage to bag an assembly seat.
Most elected public representatives in Goa who take the most solemn of oaths under the Constitution switch sides to share a slice of the 'power' pie disregarding the anti defection law and past Supreme Court directives by exploiting some loophole or ambiguity. Hopefully the citizens would see through this faux piousness from such conscienceless frauds.
Rekha Sarin,
Benaulim
