But while the Centre and the State Governments talk of Goans who acquired Portuguese citizenship, hardly anyone speaks of thousands from Daman & Diu who have done likewise. But on this, perhaps some other time. What is important for us to realize is that no self-respecting country or people will tolerate immigration beyond a certain point, for this marginalizes locals, deprives them of jobs, eats into the economy of the State and disturbs the social order.
Goa is facing a situation similar to the one that prompted UK to quit EU, with the marked difference that while UK allowed its people to have a say, the world’s largest democracy has consistently, denied Goans not the right to decide their sovereignty but the most innocuous privilege of maintaining their unique identity and Goa’s distinct culture, which is a mixture of East and West. It is these added, of course to the natural beauty of our land and the docile and hospitable nature of our people that have made Goa a popular tourist destination. Irrespective of what the Constitution provides, Goa, not having been part of India till 1961, had and still has the right to be treated as a special case, which none in the Government, unfortunately, has the guts to tell the Centre. No matter what a few sycophants cozily enjoying the hospitality and benefits of foreign countries try to preach, no one in his proper senses can absolve those who claimed rewards for their sufferings at the hands of the Portuguese of being primarily responsible for the mess we are in today, having initially failed to ensure that Goa’s land and identity were protected; that our people were not marginalized, left jobless and frustrated by an uncontrolled influx of outsiders, which could ultimately force them into the inevitable: leave their land and sometimes their families in search of livelihood or better pastures. While undoubtedly our rulers, past and present, devoid of any sense, conscience and love for their land and their people, allowed Goa to degenerate to the present levels, this would not have happened had checks and safeguards been in place to avoid what was easily predictable. But it was sycophancy, servility, our tendency to adore the rising Sun and prostrate like slaves before the new rulers that led us to the present situation, which now looks irreversible unless Goans unitedly rise.
We now have an Ordinance to regularize illegal structures and encroachments existing prior to 28th February 2014, up to 200 &300 sq. m. in urban and rural areas respectively and upto one hectare in case of agricultural land. Distinction between illegalities and irregularities is that, in the latter, permissions were not obtained but regularization can be done on payment of penalties whereas illegalities cannot, unless the law is an ass like the ones responsible for it. Goa has thousands, if not lakhs of illegal constructions, primarily on Government and Comunidade land, for which another Bill is in the offing. Since there is no survey done of any illegalities, their number is not known and one wonders what kind of proof is acceptable about the time of construction. It is nothing but a farce. The proposal is unconstitutional for it makes a mockery of law itself. The fear of it being challenged hopefully will deter approval. Why should law-abiding citizens go through the hassles, harassment, etc of obtaining permissions if protection of law is assured to violators? Instead of coming down heavily on illegalities, which abound and are an eye sore to the tourists and a blot on any civilized society, the imbeciles, who themselves have no respect for law, as seen in Tiracol and Chapora River projects, have come out with this pre-election gimmick. Politicians are actually mainly responsible for promoting or patronizing illegalities to secure their vote bank. Protecting guilty and criminals seems to be the hallmark of this democracy, which abhors the honest and the upright. The proposed law is aimed at protecting migrant vote banks and will benefit only a small percentage of Goans. After having tolerated preferential treatment to migrants over Goans in ration cards, election cards without deletion of enrolment elsewhere, and other benefits like doles, etc this Ordinance is another slap on the face of Goans, as it aims at further marginalizing Goans and making them redundant and irrelevant in the election arena. Migrants are today a part of us, but their influx needs to be controlled, as no self-respecting people will allow their land to be grabbed and eventually legalized. Only an anti-Goan Government and renegade Goans, who love power and votes more than their fellow Goans, can be instrumental in this preposterous law. And reportedly, Francis D’Souza and the Machiavellian, unprincipled and detestable Mauvin Godinho are the main ones, being the greatest beneficiaries from the slums. If there are poor people to be protected, let it be done by constructing healthy accommodation, instead of legalizing filthy slums which are a threat to life and health of all. Let this Government not test the patience and docility of Goans. Hopefully, the more sensible supporters of BJP will drill some sense in their masters, if they truly love their land and their people, unless winning election at any cost is their only objective.
(The author is a retired banker)
