Judas took 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus, then he repented and gave up his life…

What did it take for Cong MLAs who betrayed their mandate? And did they even think of repenting?
Judas took 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus, then he repented and gave up his life…
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Every time we think of treachery or an act of betrayal the phrase “30 pieces of silver” comes to mind. And Judas, the man who took 30 pieces of silver for his act of treachery and betrayal of Jesus threw the money back and ended his life.

In modern-day Goa, which has seen many acts of defections and breaking parties, the en masse defections of 10 Congress MLAs to BJP in 2019, a majority of them minority MLAs, was one of the most horrendous acts of political treachery. It’s another matter that a pathetically weak Congress did nothing. But the issue here is more important than that. 

Let us first name the defectors. Atanasio Monserrate, Jeniffer Monserrate, Francis Silveira, Philip Nery Rodrigues, Clafacio Dias, Wilfred D’Sa, Nilkant Halarnkar, Isidore Fernandes and Antonio (Tony) Fernandes. They were led by Babu Kavlekar who became Deputy Chief Minister. Most of the others became ministers or were accommodated in different corporations or government positions. 

They betrayed for development. WHOSE ‘DEVELOPMENT’?

They all said they went for development. Goans would like to know for whose development? Till now, has any Goan in their constituencies come out and said that the defection of their MLA has helped in the development of their place? Or given them, the people a better future? Has any one of them explained why they took their votes in the name of the Congress and are getting elected on those votes, they joined a party that their own people voted against? If every opposition MLA thinks that they cannot do development for their people being in opposition and raising their voices; and join the ruling party, there will be no democracy left.

Judas’ conscience did awake when he realised what he had done? Do the defector MLAs have a conscience?

Judas, as we mentioned did throw away the 30 pieces of silver he took for his act of betrayal and ended his life as he listened to his conscience. All we are asking these lesser mortals to do is to merely realise and repent. Nothing more. When they took their decision, it was all about their self-employment. But what about money in people’s pockets – their employment? Their share in road contracts, festival managements, outdoor hoarding contracts. Did they or didn’t they take pieces of silver too and join the BJP? Goans need to know.

When the anti-coal agitation was at its peak, when the fight against linear projects was fought on the rail tracks and cases registered against ordinary Goans, did any of these MLAs take up the people’s cause and resign if people were affected? Did a single MLA speak when road projects led to cracks and potholes, with corruption visible?

Did they stand with the people who opposed construction projects in villages that were damaging the environment like the western bypass?

As COVID hit Goans were left gasping for oxygen, as their businesses were hit because the pandemic spread due to absolutely no checks at the border and the delay in closing super spreader spots like casinos, when their relatives were dying in cars in the parking lots of hospitals, when their power and garbage bills went up, did a single defector MLA, speak up for the people, and strongly ask the government to handle the crisis or else he/she would resign? A big no.

They must come clean to tell Goans. What benefits have they got for themselves and what benefits have they got for Goans after defecting? They must let Goans know if any cases of corruption or illegal acts have been closed or buried after their switch over. Let Babu Kavlekar, the leader of the defector pack, speak on his and on behalf of the entire flock of defectors.

“But Brutus was an honourable man”….

When these MLAs went to ask for votes before they got elected, they went as “honourable men”. But they should remember. There is a Mark Antony is every village who will cleverly refer to their defector MLA and sarcastically say “But Brutus was an honourable man”, laced with cynicism and sarcasm.

And we are not speaking only of these ten MLAs. What about Vishwajit Rane? Who resigned from Congress within minutes of taking the oath and joining the BJP? He has no party loyalty. He has told his voters to vote for him personally. Then why does he contest on a party ticket? Just to get the benefits of power and a ministership?

A known enemy is easier to handle. BUT NOT WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING

At times, we learn to deal with those who are clearly not on our side. They are easier to handle because we are prepared. But it is more difficult to handle wolves in sheep’s clothing.

People are really at unease. And during these times, the Catholics, especially in minority-dominated Salcete and parts of Tiswadi, from where the majority of defections took place, look for guidance and healing from the clergy and above all the Bishop. They have always been guided by him and taken his advice. The Archbishop’s Christmas address is eagerly awaited as it sets the tone for the kind of governance and society we must have, highlighting the ills of society. During these times the flock is looking up to him to guide, to show a path towards a Goa led by a people’s party, be it any party. That guidance is long-awaited.

Politics is about polity, meaning the people. No one can say that they are removed from politics

One understands that the Church does not and should not involve itself in party politics but every society needs to be in politics. Politics comes from the word polity and polity is all about the people. And so should the Church be, because the Church does not only have a religious role. It has a social role too, which it carries out with great responsibility. We all breathe the free air, have fundamental rights which we exercise and have the freedom to protest and fight for our rights because of sacrifices made by our forefathers. Institutions that command the respect of people cannot say they are not in politics, because they have a duty towards protecting the future of our children for a better Goa.

The time to act is now. When recent decisions of the government in other States (not Goa) are planned towards hurting minority education institutes who will lose control over appointments and a smooth flow of unconditional grants, institutions like the Church will have to speak up, as they have done in Gujarat and Daman Diu & Dadra and Nagar Haveli

The same goes for all institutions which have a cultural presence as well as a religious presence. The social duty practised down the ages of these institutions will always remain.

THERE ARE EXPECTATIONS. BUT THE WAIT CANNOT BE ENDLESS

And one expects the Church (and other institutions across faiths) to also instill good positive thoughts among its community elected leaders to work only for the welfare of ALL people and the State. But then, this expectation has to be fulfilled and cannot be an endless wait. One hopes it will not be.

Every Goan has gone through difficult times. And it is during these times that you remember who your true friends are. And who your hidden enemies are. They are all reviewing decisions they have made and after what they have gone through will make choices that are long term and based on trust.

Herald Goa
www.heraldgoa.in