Team Herald
PANJIM: Finding himself at the receiving end of a massive backlash for his comments asking for parents to seek introspection following a gang-rape case of minor girls, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant turned emotional, while speaking in the House where he accused the Opposition and his critics of misinterpreting what he said and not taking what he said in the way he intended it.
The Chief Minister was giving his reply in the Assembly session that had gone on till the wee hours of Friday morning.
He spoke on the issue out of the House as well and a section of society took to social media to defend what Sawant had said and the beleaguered Chief Minister.
Earlier, Sawant took to social media and issued a lengthy statement, given that his earlier comments had grabbed national headlines.
“My statement about the unfortunate incident was taken out of context. Both as head of a responsible government and as a father of a 14-year-old daughter, I was deeply pained and disturbed. The pain of this incident is inexplicable,” said Sawant.
“At no point, I have tried to deny the right to security provided by our law. Goa Police has been a truly professional force especially when it comes to security of women and children. They have already acted swiftly and arrested the accused, and let me assure you that I shall ensure that the culprits get the most stringent punishment under the law. The safety of our citizens is always my government’s top priority,” the Chief Minister added.
“Safety of children, especially the minor ones, has to be a shared responsibility. Our right to security has to be strengthened further with more cautiousness. Children, especially minors, need guidance of their elders,” he continued.
“There is a curfew imposed in the State, and people are restricted at public places. So when I spoke about a shared responsibility for minor children, it was out of concern, care and love for my fellow citizens and our children. We all love our kids. Being the Chief Minister my feeling of concern is extended to all the children of Goa,” he elaborated further.
“I reiterate that in matters that concern the safety and security of our children, there will be no compromise. Let there be no place for misunderstanding. Let us stand united. Let us trust each other. Let us stand united as one Goa so that all such evils can be defeated with all our might,” the Chief Minister concluded.
