The Church and the State have shared a symbiotic relationship in Goa from Portuguese times. We have read about the Concordat and the effects it had on Goa when it was ruled by the Portuguese. The Holy See and the Portuguese formed a special front to spread Christianity in India and, more so, it sought to influence and Christianize Goa as its prized possession. That was in the past and the chapter of this history, at times sordid with ghastly tales of violence and destruction, has been buried only to be reverted to it by historians and writers.
However, since Liberation or Annexation, as some would steadfastly like to name it by the latter name, the Church has played a subtle yet significant role in the mainstream of Goan political life. There have been too many incidents where the Church played its hand to advance a particular cause or support a special campaign. There was a time when the pulpit seemed a strong voice to woo the faithful to a particular political party through indirect references. In the years after Goa became free of Portuguese rule, the Christians looked upon the Church for guidance, not just in spiritual matters but also to project its political leanings.
No doubt the political parties have always sought the blessing of the Church in more ways than one. It cannot be dismissed that Manohar Parrikar cultivated good relationship with the Church authorities besides being able to win the loyalties of some ardent Catholics. Maybe it was dangling the carrot of ministership that got Parrikar some of the Catholic to contest the election on the BJP tickets. Known for his shrewd manipulation and keen playing of the religion card, Parrikar was able to bring some politically-smart Christians into the BJP fold and gave them ministerial chair. With Parrikar airlifted to Delhi, the BJP bearings seem to be falling apart.
One cannot till today understand how Parrikar could entice the late Mathany Saldanha into his lair and, upon Mathany’s death, got his widow Alina to retain the seat and also be a part of the cabinet. One saw a bit of power struggle in the Cortalim constituency but ultimate Alina prevailed. Similarly, he got Salcete in his ambit through sharp inroads into the predominant Christian areas through skilful selection of candidates and gaining support of a party such as Goan Vikas Party by giving a ministerial berth to its strongman Francisco Mickky Pacheco, who, by his ill-temperament and macho power, is now cooling his heels in Sada sub-jail. He also got independent Avertano Furtado in his embrace with an offer of a ministerial post. Such a political ploy helped Parrikar conquer Salcete which, at least on paper, then appeared to be the bastion of the Congress.
It’s hard to say if these Christian MLAs have sold their spiritual souls to gain the worldly gift of political power. The turn of events or, as some would love to say, the U-turn of events, it seems these MLAs are caught between the devil and the deep sea. Since the BJP, for all purposes and ends, is the child of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the bearer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) political trident, the Christian MLAs should by now realized that they are largely compromised in the situation. The negative and, at times, provocative anti-Christian statements and pointed accusations against some missionaries and Church leaders should have probably opened their eyes, or perhaps they were playing with eyes wide shut, realized their follies in following a party that’s showing its true colours.
The Goa church is perhaps sore with the Hindu organizations advocating boycott of convent schools. The beef ban has rattled Christian Goans and other instances of either direct or indirect attack on churches and religious persons has rankled the Christians in India and, in particular, Goa. In the time, the BJP came to power at the centre the non-Hindus in India are feeling that the earth is shaking below them, no matter what Modi says and promises. It seems the Rubicon has been crossed.
Hopefully, by the next election rolls in, these MLAs will seek to look inside their souls and decide if they are comfortable with the party colours on their backs. A statement, though historically true, by Deputy Chief Minister Francisco D’Souza that he’s that strange hybrid of a person called “Hindu Christian” can be best described as political dichotomy. He has stood on two stools and the fear is that the voters, on both sides of the religious divide, may pull the stools. Francisco must wear his lawyer’s garb first and then wrap himself with the BJP flag, for India’s Constitution is “secular” and that India is emphatically seen as a “Hindu nation.”
No doubt the Congress queered the political pitch for itself in its last session as Goa rulers, it should make it rather awkward for the leaders to ask for a second chance. So, in its efforts to clean up its act and reinforce that the Congress is a better option for Goans, the Congress seems to have possibly pulled the Church on its side. Obviously, the Church in India has seen that the BJP at the centre hasn’t done enough to assauge the fears of the Christian community and, naturally, the Goa Church believes that Laxmikant Parsekar, the lame duck CM who replaced the ebullient Parrikar. However, there is still time to go for the Congress to win over the Salcete Christian MLAs and chalk out a plan to counter the BJP at the next husting. With a little help from the Church, the Congress can work a miracle.
In one of my opinion pieces sometime ago, I wrote that the Congress needs a rainmaker. Yeah, the monsoon has broken over in India and Goa is getting soaked in the rains. However, the Congress should move the shady clouds that hang over the party by providing a roadmap to greater responsibility and giving short shrift to those who have slapped the party with bad patches. It’s a hard task and whether Luizinho Faleiro can do it is a big question. No doubt Luizinho is like old wine in new bottle and there’s the nagging issue of his legacy as CM and his political flings that has left him battered and bruised. No doubt he holds centre stage today, but would the CM’s post be his if Congress comes to power? If Luizinho is front and centre, can Pratapsing Rane be far behind?
(Eugene Correia is a senior journalist)
