Fly, But From Terra Firma
Oscar Rebello
Sadly, as is the usual trajectory in the Goan political discourse the Mopa v/s Dabolim debate is set to be derailed into a North v/s South ; ‘Development’ v/s ‘Nondevelopment’ issue and even if muttered under one’s breath, increasingly, a Catholic v/s Hindu issue.
The first question I was asked, when I weighed into the debate was: “since when did you become a Church agent?” (Of course, when the Church articulates a sustainable development model during a Congress rule, it becomes the paragon of patriotic virtue, anytime else, it gets branded an antinational, subversive organization).
So, let us look at the fault lines in the two arguments in this debate and then state the case for the prosecution.
The jarring notes in the anti-Mopa argument
(a) Navy bashing
Nowhere on the planet do citizens of a country brand their own armed forces (which in case, one forgets, includes men and women prepared to lay down their lives in our defense) as ‘usurpers’; ‘squatters’ and ferociously call for ‘throwing them out’ and ‘seizing their (or our) land back’. The innuendo, bravado and the appallingly abusive language used by some against our Navy is truly mind boggling and completely unpardonable.
Of course, one has a case in asking for additional land to expand Dabolim (the ideal solution to the imbroglio) but the tone of language, etiquette and mutual respect for one another must be civilized.We’ll need to talk to the defense establishment, not at them if we want a solution. Things may just click then.
(b) Mopa as a back door entry for merger into Maharashtra
This is where we’ve got our beef all wrong and lopsided. With Maharashtra, having its own problems of corruption, unplanned development, drought, farmer suicides et al why on earth would they want to be saddled with a problem child like Goa?
It’s funny how the virulent Hindutva types blame poor old Portugal when governance in Goa is at rock bottom and the fervent anti-mergerists of the 60s and 70s seek to blame poor old Maharashtra when governance is crumbling.
Goa, my dears, is moving on and doing so rapidly and chaotically. Hence, it would be far more sensible to seek our demons, which are within each of us and slay them rather than blame some phantom enemy from without.
The shrill notes in the pro Mopa campaign
(a) The enemy Church
Since the anti-Mopa bandwagon originates in Salcete and Salcete being a predominantly Catholic stronghold, this fallacious whisper campaign is floated that this is essentially a Catholic movement (and therefore antinational ?) and hence needs to be crushed with all the might of the state.
I vehemently disagree with many of the Church’s teachings but the Church in Goa has over the years consistently articulated a sustainable development model with stringent environment controls .They have assiduously pushed for a moral revolution to curtail rampaging greed in our society. The anti-Mopa argument perhaps stems from this.
Of course, some black sheep in the clergy and some of the more spectacularly corrupt Catholic leaders have a put a cruel spoke in the Church’s plans but then one ploughs on, even if the fields apparently seem barren.
(b) Anti-Mopa campaign is anti Pernem
The campaign is against the proposed airport, not against Pernem surely. There can be no two arguments that Pernem (as also the mining affected areas) require a massive infusion of funding and sustained economic activity to improve the quality of life of our citizens there. But do we require this gargantuan airport to achieve that objective? Can’t we be smarter than that?
We possibly run the risk of converting Pernem into a twin sibling of Vasco/Mormugao with all its slums, unplanned development, illegal squatting and horrendous levels of pollution.
Frankly, an airport of this sort would be opposed and would be disastrous wherever it were to be located in Goa whether in Quitol or Mopa or Verna or indeed even in Churchill’s own backyard.
Case for the prosecution
For me, honestly, this isn’t about the airport at all. That is a distracting side show. The fundamental argument is that a project like this would deal another mortal blow to the idea of Goa itself.
The Godspeed to acquire land from farmers in Mopa and fast track the airport at devastating environmental cost and the clear and present danger of attracting another vile bunch of real estate gamblers in one of Goa’s last peaceful enclaves, is what is spurring the actual sentiment on the streets against Mopa.
And this sentiment cuts across all languages, religions, caste or meat eating barriers, even if not overtly expressed. Just put a ear to the ground. A simple perusal of land ownership documents in the vicinity of Mopa will tell you the kind of sleazebags who have invested in land there and trust me; none of them are farmers, or dairy owners or horticulturists or proponents of gentle, nature-friendly tourism.
Really, how many times do the good people of Goa (which includes non Goans who love this land sometimes more than native sons of the soil) need to send out a message to the powers that be, that poor, blighted confused Goa cannot fit into the economic model of the slimy sleazebags, but that the economy is what needs to tango in tandem with the idea of Goa. If you want to keep the peace, that is.
But then, I guess the gigantic, monstrous `development’ elephant must trudge on for the greater glory of the State and the nation or whatever; and if those stupid, little Goan ants get crushed in the bargain after being promised some rosy, fairytale of a future, who the hell cares??
Crony capitalism, after all must fly high regardless of whether Mopa takes off or not.
