Panjim/Margao: The controversy around the English paper of the Secondary School Certificate Examination of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary School Education has widened the rift between the ruling BJP and the Congress after Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat took an opportunity to take a pot shot at the current governance.
BJP condemned Kamat’s remarks. “He has served as the Chief Minister and Education Minister in the past. Such a statement from him was not expected. One should keep aside politics. We condemn his remark,” said NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar said during a press conference in Panjim. He demanded that Congress clears its stand whether such a question was appropriate.
Kamat had tweeted, “This question in English paper of SSC examination is a reflection of current situation in Goa under @BJP4Goa. No job opportunities here & then step motherly treatment to those who go abroad for earning bread & butter & contribute to our economy. Hope @goacm takes note,” he posted.
Goa Congress President Girish Chodankar also echoed Kamat’s views in his tweet which reads, “No need to change the voice. Message is loud and clear in this question of SSC exam paper. The @BJP4Goa Government under @goacm @DrPramodPSawant is corrupt. Now the “Defects” are visible even in Education System.”
Condemning Congress’ stance on the issue, Sawaikar emphasized on the efforts of the Central and Goa governments to repatriate Indians and Goans back to their homeland. At another press conference held in the south, BJP Margao also criticized Kamat and the question paper.
Sharmad Raiturkar said , “A question of this nature appearing in the English paper of Std Xth students is very sad and has to be protested tooth and nail. It is a bad thing that a wrong image of Goa and Goans is being spread in the minds of the students”. Calling it an attempt to politicize education and feed wrong ideas about Goa, Sharmad said it was anti-Goa and anti-Goans. “The Opposition Leader is using this to do politics and get political mileage,” he added.
