We thank you but we’ll watch you
Sunlight seems to have finally broken through the cracks,in the Panjim sword attack case. After an unprecedented show of solidarity by the people of Goa, in demanding a fair investigation, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s unconditional acceptance of every demand in the memorandum by the people of Goa, is one of the strongest affirmations of the power of the people.
To his credit, Parrikar was not magnanimous but completely pragmatic, agreeing with the need to shuffle officers and bring in the SP Crime Kartik Kashyap to monitor the investigations on a day-to-day basis. What was unsaid was that his wife Priyanka Kashyap, SP North Goa would not be given that task. The line of thinking on these decisions assumes immense significance, because they stem from the general belief of the people based on the way, these investigations have progressed. While Herald can claim to have played a bit of a catalyst by preventing this case from slipping into the backburner and out of public reckoning, this is indeed a victory for the people of Goa. They have, unitedly ensured the following :
– Not allow the accused to use his influence with the establishment to take virtual control of the investigations – make police officers (even suspended ones) who showed empathy with the accused in words or action, stop in their tracks
– set a huge precedent for public action in a planned organised manner
– pave the way to look beyond this case,and look at a greater police public government nexus to ensure safer cities
– ensure or at least pave the way for the government to engage with people on several issues concerning Goan society
Not all of this may be tangible or currently visible but the reactions post the Saturday rally, the discussions and comments on social media and general conversations, resonate with empowerment even though many of the speakers, especially the young do not articulate it that way.
However, there is a rider, a caveat and a word or two of caution. We thank the Chief Minister for joining the people of Panjim and Goa in calming tensions and giving hope. But we will not go to sleep with the sounds of these assurances. Every promise made has to become a decision and every agreement needs a coercive action. While this is a small victory, justice has not yet been done.The road to justice for Rafael and Raju has been inaugurated. Over the next week, we should see suspect officers out of the scene, the recording of statements of witnesses and a positive move towards finding the assault weapon. Victory will be when investigations are fool proof and the accused taken to the trial court for a speedy judgment and punishment which should deter any more wayward sons of influential fathers from keeping swords in their cars and slashing innocents.
If that is what happens, then real transformation of society with people not just having power but the scope to exercise them, will happen. Last Saturday was a watershed moment in Goan society. The coming weeks will decide if this was indeed the source of making the common people of Goa reclaim their streets for themselves.
