Saying that his protest should not be construed as an opposition to tourism, but is a pointer to the criminal negligence of the government in respecting the State’s carrying capacity for such activity and without compromising the fundamental ‘right to life’ of locals.
“The harrowing experience of getting stuck in traffic jams on NH 17 and NH 4A this weekend has finally compelled me to lodge this protest against the nuisance and disruption of day-to-day living of the ordinary Goan, due to the indiscriminate and immodest promotion of tourism in the State of Goa,” says de Souza, adding that this weekend’s chaos is definitely not a one off phenomena but is increasingly becoming a regular feature almost every weekend and festive season and Goans are literally made prisoners in our own land by the careless attitude for the fundamental rights of citizens by the Government of Goa and the Tourism Industry.
Arguing that the beaches have almost been rendered inaccessible to locals due to the boisterous crowds, obstruction on the beaches from increasing tourism activities and parking woes, exorbitant rates for services, extortion and thefts, he says that Goans also have a right to celebrate our festivals, visit our friends and indulge in some entertainment on weekends and holidays and cannot be forced into a sort of self-imposed house arrest as movement on roads becomes almost impossible due to the invasion of Goa by hordes of boisterous tourists and aggressive taxi operators.
“Revenue to the State and Livelihood of some Locals cannot become the justification to deprive us the larger Goan society of our Fundamental Rights and subject us to nuisance of loud music and fireworks till the early hours of morning, fleecing and rash driving by taxi and rickshaw operators, drunken driving and traffic jams on roads every few metres,”
