The letter to the editor of Herald on March 24, by Prajal Sakhardande, President of Goa’s Movement for Special Status (GMFSS) deserves serious attention and urgent consideration by all Goans. According to him ‘the very existence of Goa is being treathened due to continuous flow of migrants into Goa, thereby posing grave threat to employment, culture, language and her very entity and etnecity’.
Due to constant increase in building activities and other development projects, demand for occupations in various trades that employ workers such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, welders, waiters, house maids, labourers etc. is on the rise. Moreover on account of improvement in academic standards, few Goans are willing to take up these positions as the term “dignity of labour” has lost its significance amongst Goans.
It’s true that the Constitution of India provides every right and guarantee to any one, who wants to work or settle in any state of India including Goa. However there is an important point that deserves to be given serious consideration. It is the tiny size of Goa and its small population. Imagine even if 3 to 5 percent of population from the neighbouring states with crores, continue to enter Goa in the next few years, what a damaging effect will it have on Goenkar and its Goenkarponn?
Many politicians whose election victories depend on huge migrants’ votes offer a counter argument, “aren’t Goans working and settling in other states?”. Yes upto a point they’re right, but they should realise that the number of Goans working and settling outside Goa cause no tangible impact, such as displacing the local population and altering those states culture, ethos, language and demographic etnecity.
Indeed even if 100 percent of Goa’s population moves into any of the neighbouring states there will hardly be any noticeable effect on any of the parameters that have been listed above.
Beware, without Special Status Goans will become a minority in their own state and then they will have to struggle for reservations by resorting to public demand and demonstrations. If by some misfortune or apathy, this is allowed to happen, it will have disastrous consequences on the Goenkar and Goenkarponn.
So in view of the above reasons the points raised by the President of GMFSS deserve to be taken seriously and his request to Goa’s Cabinet to place before Minister Gadkari about the desire of Goans for Special Status deserves utmost consideration.
Will Goa’s Cabinet take up the issue in the absence of CM Parrikar?
