Bismarque being my co-villager, I met him several times. Sometimes we had meals together and we discussed the same issues – our common Goan issues. He was called to many villages to inspire the youth and others regarding the same themes namely: creation of God, environment and ecology. We were good friends, although we sometimes had different views with regard to certain issues like his contesting elections, running too much, and that too, alone, to every nook and corner of Goa to create groups/ armies of villagers to fight against the destruction of nature without even thinking of his state of health and his own safety. He thought it better to fight it out, rather than to give up, even if it be with his own superiors. He thought he could not dedicate himself fully for the realisation of the ideals of the preservation of ecology and environment within the framework of the Society to which he belonged and therefore he decided to leave it and subsequently also to give up the exercise of his priestly ministry and to offer his own life on the altar of creation to the Creator. As several writers have pointed it out, after his death, he was a one man army who created various armies/groups to fight against the forces of destruction of our beautiful Goa. In this fight he also created a lot of enemies.
Although the cause of his untimely death may still remain a mystery, it will continue to haunt the ones who may be involved and perhaps it may never come to the light of justice here on earth. I recall here what a Goan police inspector told me before his retirement a few years back. “Justice was really of the olden times”. He said that his first assignment after joining the police force during those times was one that left a lasting impression on his mind. He told me the following story: In one of the villages of South Goa, a landlord threw his expecting wife in the well which was situated in front of the man’s house at night. The next day he complained to the police that his wife was missing. The search started but she was not found. On the third day, foul smell started emanating from the well. People around got curious and they discovered his wife’s body in the well. He was arrested on suspicion and the case ran in the court in the present Margao municipality building.
On the last day the Portuguese judge pronounced the following judgement “This judge has to acquit you today, because there is no evidence against you. But remember above this judge there is another Judge who will convict you.” All said and done the man was set free. And the PI continued that the man went home and after a few days he started circling the same well for days together and one fine day he himself jumped in the same well and died thus proving that the judge’s words became true.
Whatever the mystery surrounding the death of Fr Bismarque, our real salutation and honour to him will be continuing his mission to fight for the balance of environment and ecology while development takes place around us. We have to fight against the predators of Goan land, for whom nothing matters but money. I conclude this homage to Bismarque with the wise word of an anonymous author: “when the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten and the last stream poisoned, you will realise that you cannot eat money”.
Goans salute you, brave soldier, Bismarque! Good bye, we continue the fight!
