MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: It was a gathering of the faithful. And their faith was one - Goa. A massive gathering of ordinary Goans met at the historic Lohia Maidan to be liberated from the pain of what they called Goa's destruction, felt throughout the impact of decisions that have degraded Goa, both literally and figuratively.
“Enough is enough” was the clear-cut message sent by Goans gathered in large numbers during the meeting on Saturday, who pledged that they would not tolerate any more injustice and the destruction of the State’s environment.
Speakers charged the government of playing a ‘psychological game’ with the people of Goa and vowed to make their voice heard where it mattered most, during the elections.
Citizens appealed to all Goans and NGOs, including social activists to fight unitedly against the destruction of the land.
Speakers stated that Goa is on the brink and it is important for people to come together to fight for their land.
Addressing the gathering, Rajan Ghate, an environmentalist said, “This government is engaged in business at the cost of Goans. Politicians are attempting to destroy the Western Ghats. Goa should be protected for the next generation. We all need to protect the Western Ghats. This government can’t see anything besides money.”
He further said that they are not election leaders but generation leaders.
Jack Mascarenhas of Goyche Fuddle Pilge Khatir said, “Goa is on the brink. Goans will be slaves in Goa shortly if not protected now. Goans need to come together as a community.”
He said that people want fair and transparent elections and distrust EVMs.
“There is a need to agitate for civil rights. People’s power is supreme and hence we need to move in those directions,” said Mascarenhas.
Stating that people are affected badly on account of double tracking, (of the South Western Railway's line to transport coal), former BJP MLA Alina Saldanha said, “Goa is very small and hence we need to think twice before bringing in big projects. If our government is of people then why act against people? Why cause hardship to the people?”
Saldanha said, “Double tracking will result in major destruction. The second track reaches the gates and doors of the people’s houses. The government is not treating people properly. We don’t know for whom this government is working. We have every right to live a peaceful life. Why can’t the government support people?
Calling for major agitation instead of holding awareness meetings on coal issues, Xencor Polgi, a social activist, said, “People of Vasco and Mormugao are breathing coal and evil days lie ahead.”
Coming down heavily on the government, another social activist Rama Kankonkar alleged that the BJP government is playing a ‘psychological game’ against the people of Goa.
“The hatred against the migrants is the result of a conspiracy created by the government. Taking into consideration we can say that the next Lok Sabha elections will hear voices speaking out against creating tensions between migrants and Goans," Kankonkar claimed.
He said that they had asked for notification on political reservation for the ST community before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, but the government is misleading the people on the issue.
Briefing the gathering, school headmaster Anant Agni called for maintaining harmony in all situations.
