Since the last decade, Goa has been undergoing a different churning of sorts, and knowingly or unknowingly a vast majority of the society has engaged in an exchange of thoughts and very subtly began the process of making it ‘us versus them’. From closed-room discussions to protests and agitations on the streets, the State has witnessed a turn of events that has provided dividends to those who planned and executed these movements. From shifting hands in the corridors of politics to attempting to change and brainwash people’s thinking processes, the players behind the curtains have crafted the course of action carefully. The recent political and social events and incidents are the outcomes of the carefully crafted course of action.
The Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has been holding its annual conferences in Ponda under the patronage of Sanatan Sanstha for eleven years, however, recently the organisation called for a movie, ‘Goa Files’, based on the infamous inquisition executed in Goa by the Portuguese during their reign, and then appealed to Hindus to vote for candidates, who include Hindu Rashtra and provisions to safeguard Hindu interests in their manifestos for 2024 Lok Sabha polls, reiterating the need to establish a Hindu Rashtra.
Earlier this month, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that it’s time to ‘wipe out the legacy’ of the Portuguese, which was like sounding the bugle for polarisation. No wonder we have fringe elements who have over the years attempted to disturb the harmonious multi-religious co-existence in Goa by taking potshots at famous personalities belonging to a specific religion or directly attacking those revered in respective religions. The chronology of events clearly indicates the preparations for the Parliament elections in 2024.
The whole episode that unfolded in Calangute over the issue of illegally installing a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is yet another example of polarisation. While no individual who has undergone schooling in the State will have doubts about the contributions of Shivaji, it does not provide the licence to any individual or organisation to act in contravention of the laws. And this is applicable to everyone, irrespective of their religious and political affiliations.
The Legislative, including the government, ministers and MLAs from the ruling side as well as the Opposition are mum on the attempts to polarise the society on religious lines, despite constant efforts of the fringe elements to create disturbances. Everyone is aware that the Executive follows the commands of its political masters, thus it is no surprise that the police have become only a response force waiting for untoward incidents to flare up and then act. The incident in Calangute on Tuesday is one such example.
The media has for centuries held the mirror to those in power and to society, which has resulted in course corrections. However, of late, the media – considered the fourth pillar of democracy – has often not done its fundamental duty of questioning those in power and in some cases has become the means to provoke and ignite unwanted controversies. The only hope is the Courts which are expected to take suo motu cognisance of the turn of events and pull up the Legislative and Executive for the shortcomings, and also point out to the media its role as an independent pillar of democracy.
Checks and balances are a necessity for a healthy democracy; and Goa with all its shortcomings has been exemplary, despite being liberated fourteen years after India’s Independence from British rule. However, the recent history of unchecked polarisation makes one wonder if the pillars of democracy are stumbling in Goa too.
