When people became masters
The beauty of the system that governs us is that even in the wake of cynicism and despair, our democracy redeems itself in a manner unexpected. And each time this redemption is spearheaded by those who make this democracy.
On Saturday night as the Campal garden, steeped in heritage and history was lit with 800 hands holding candles, in solidarity with the victims of the sword attack, Goa stitched its broken fabric back. It did not heal the hurt but it closed the gap between helplessness and hope, between despair and courage. From a position of fear and dread that the influential father of the accused, who almost killed two young boys with his sword, which has since disappeared, would manipulate the investigations, people have emerged as brave and strong telling the system what it should do and not pleading.
On that inky night on Saturday, when candles burnt, and songs were sung and a petition signed by over 600 people, people became masters. And yes, masters became people. In a sight that was moving, Babush Monserrate, Vijai Sardessai and Surendra Furtado were seen actually singing the words of Varun Carvalho’s (the dentist singer from Margao) song Stand Up, away from the cameras. For that moment, at the very least politics became about people.
When was the last time you heard or saw 800 people support a memorandum to the Chief Minister read out by an ordinary Panjim boy (Richard Dias), a memorandum which told the police how to investigate this case, a memorandum which was a chargesheet against police officers people did not trust, a memorandum where people placed their trust on and above all a memorandum which said “We are not afraid”.
We know this is all about justice for the boys Rafael and Raju, but in this quest for justice, if we the people have managed to get each other out of our homes and comfort zones to come together for the sake of a better Goa, it will soothe Rafael and Raju even though the scars will remain for life.
Meanwhile it is the people’s movement which has once again exposed the inefficiency of police investigation notwithstanding some officers sending out messages claiming they are honest and do not need the media to teach them their jobs. Forensic tests on the accused vehicle were not done, the accused hasn’t been given the treatment to force out where he has hidden or flung his sword and no action has been taken against a suspended PI who has remained solidly with the accused, been in the Panjim police station.
Irrespective of what the police claim, they haven’t covered themselves with glory though they have a huge chance to. This time this will be a court monitored investigation by the people’s court. If 800 people could turn up to fight for the boys, for Panjim and Goa, let it be known that this is just the beginning. And this case has paved the way for people to take over, in a manner so telling and forceful that can dent the most powerful political connections of the accused.
The people of Goa have showed that they have the best connections. Each other. Your paper, Herald, has and will continue to give voice and fight this cause with all of you. Count on us.
