Ayres Sequeira
All our aspirations, expectations and assurances given to us earlier to have the statue of Dr Jack de Sequeira installed at the Assembly complex at Porvorim have fallen flat on our faces. The BJP has made it clear that other than the statue of the first chief minister of Goa, no other statue will be installed at the complex. But some common sense and logic also indicate that with due respect the government should have equally honoured the first Leader of the Opposition of Goa as historical events of Goan politics. But that hasn’t happened. Ironically, the first chief minister of Goa, Dayanand Bandodkar worked against the interest of the Goans and wanted to eradicate Goan identity, language and culture by merging Goa with Maharashtra which resulted in the Opinion Poll in 1967. Rightfully, the niz Goenkars opted to remain separate to protect Goan identity and the vested interest was defeated. At that time, working hard against the destructive forces of the Goans, Dr Sequeira was the main face everywhere who worked tirelessly day and night and gave us the honour and dignity to hold our head high in self-respect today and times to come.
It’s hurting to note, however, the BJP is now mixing up issues to confuse the Goans: Development, Opinion Poll and freedom movement. In the Opinion Poll there were only two leaders one against the other. The others were supporters. What we demand today is to honour the leader who steered the Opinion Poll to victory giving us our right to live as citizens of a separate State with the Assembly and the people’s representatives sitting in the august House to administer Goa. Incidentally, Manohar Parrikar is perhaps the 14th chief minister of Goa because of the Opinion Poll, a fact which he may not want to admit.
History cannot be eradicated, facts remain as evidence and truth will always prevail. The interesting point to note here is henceforth a chapter on Opinion Poll is promised to be included in the school syllabus for the future generations to know of the 1967 historic event. But the question is will this chapter include the fact that Dr Sequeira won the Opinion Poll and came to be named Father of Opinion Poll, so much so every time the school children read the chapter, if not his statue at least his name Dr Sequeira will be pronounced to honour and remember him with gratitude.
