The nearly 400 years of Portuguese rule in Goa came to an end in 1961 and Goans breathed the air of freedom, with their heart full of hope and great expectations of a bright future for Goa as an integral part of the Republic of India. After a brief military rule the democratic process was set in motion and the first elected assembly was convened on 9th January 1964, thus began Goa’s journey in to democracy. A journey which was in fact disappointing for most of the Goans but very rewarding and exciting for those who were lucky to be elected to Goa’s assembly.
The historic Opinion Poll of January 1967 was indeed an eye opener to Goa, wherein many politicians for their own personal agenda advocated merger of Goa with the bigger neighbouring state of Maharashtra, which would have destroyed the dreams of millions of Goans by reducing Goa into a district of Maharashtra. Thanks to few visionary leaders of Goa, despite they being not into active politics ensured that Goa retains its identity and culture.
Unfortunately some of those politicians who advocated the idea of merger and their breed, still enjoy power in Goa. Though Goa attained full statehood in 1987 its colonial past has been haunting the state, only difference is that the fair skinned colonial masters have been replaced by a political class, who like the colonial masters seem to have just one aim, to profit themselves by holding on to their power, come what may even at the cost of destroying the State, its environment, culture and everything else that is dear to the people of Goa. Goa’s tryst with democracy for the past fifty two years have caused Goa certain deep scares.
To name some of them
1.The Governments failure to regulate the illegal mining which has caused environmental damage, like land denudation, loss of fertile land, loss of livelihood to many, pollution of water bodies and rivers , damage to roads, many deaths due to accidents caused by mining trucks and the permanent loss of revenue.
2. Goa becoming a hub and an important transit point for drugs, presence of drug mafia, foreigners involvement in drug trade, above all large number of Goan youth being induced into drug use, threatens the future of Goa.
3. Proliferation and growth of prostitution industry in Goa with all its accompanying evils due to inefficient and corrupt policing, has damaged the delicate moral fabric of the State.
4. The emergence of land and building mafia, rampant construction activities even in remote villages, causing inconvenience and distress to village like, insecurity to local population due to the presence of large floating population, construction employees, pressure on land and essential resources, and general hike in the cost of living has affected adversely the local population. Causing unreasonable hike in land and building costs, yet more than 50% of all such new tenements remaining vacant has created an unjust economic system and threatens the life and safety of village people especially the senior citizens.
5. Deprivation of the local community of their staple diet of fish and the local rice due to ineffective and inefficient regulation of fishing and agricultural activity has affected the life of ramponkars and farmers and the village life style.
6. Allowing and tactically supporting large and frequent violation of CRZ regulations causing denudation of the beaches and the beauty of Goa, has not only caused an unhealthy trend in tourism, but the influx of foreigners and capture of certain beach areas and trade by them is a matter of public shame for all Goans.
There are of course many others but these are the deepest scares that democracy has caused to Goa.
Goans will get their last chance to freedom with the next assembly election if they exercise their franchise with prudence and caution rather than be swayed by party slogans and public washing of dirty political linen.
The big question is How will Goa achieve this feat? There are very limited choices. There is a slim chance if Goa votes for fresh candidates with clean record irrespective of party affiliations of the candidate. A new Goa Assembly with 40 new faces can rekindle people’s hope and aspiration in 2017.
For political parties and seasoned politicians, there is no other priority, no other agenda but power for themselves, because politics is the most lucrative business without risk of investment. Time has come for these politicians who enjoyed the privileges and amassed wealth in the name of public service to take up political vigilantism to ensure that those newly elected do not indulge in any of the corrupt and selfish practices which they themselves indulged in. This is the least they could do to a State, which they have jointly and singly exploited, misused and abused.
One could suggest some DOs for all voters of Goa: Please exercise your Franchise, whatever happens, Vote for a fresh candidate preferably a women candidate, insist on candidates providing personal manifesto and not party manifesto on what they will do for their constituency and for Goa if elected, never vote for a candidate who has won the Assembly election earlier. They had their chance to serve the State earlier but have utterly failed, never vote for the relative of a politician, they will only repeat what his/her parent has done besides while in power they have piled up enough and more wealth to last for three to four generations. Voters need to exhibit their maturity and concern for a better Goa.
An afterthought, that Goa would be better off with a women Chief Minister If Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu can have women chief ministers, why not Goa. Goan women are much more capable and sincere and of course better educated and cultured .
(The writer is a Professor of Law, and Former Dean, Faculty of Law, Goa University)
