Karsten Miranda
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MARGAO: The streets of South Goa simmered with tension on Monday as beef vendors declared a state-wide shutdown following attacks on beef sellers at the Margao retail market. The incident has sparked intense reactions across the community, particularly as it coincides with the approaching Christmas celebrations.
In Benaulim, Antonio Lopes arrived at the SGPDA market in Margao only to find it shut. His frustration echoes the sentiments of many in the Catholic community as he shares, “I came to the market not knowing about this news and we have a huge family get together on Christmas day. This feels like an attack on us too. How come these kinds of issues only happen before a Catholic or a Muslim feast? This is not the first time there has been a communal incident in Goa and what is happening to our state which is famous for being peace loving.”
From Assolna, senior advocate Cleofato Almeida Coutinho sees the situation through the lens of targeted economic disruption. His words cut straight to the heart of the matter: “There is economic terrorism against the minority Muslim community. Festival season is time for economic growth as there is spending by the community celebrating the festival. Teaching Bangladesh a lesson by hurting the economic interest of our own people from minority communities is uncalled for.”
In Margao, educationist Prabhakhar Timble delivers a powerful critique that lays bare the deeper implications of these incidents. “Thugs not worshippers!” he declares. “The growing cow vigilante violence has very little to do with cow worship and cow protection. It is a rank demonstration of hatred towards minorities, particularly Muslims who are largely associated in the beef trade.” He goes on to expose the broader pattern of discrimination: “These are the same fundamentalist groups of Hindus who propagate with venom that Hindus should not buy vegetables, fruits and flowers from Muslim retailers and boycott Muslim shops.”
Timble’s analysis delves deeper: “Nobody has come in the way of cow worship or protection. Those who desire to engage in both are free to propagate their agenda and run ‘gaushalas’ and cow shelters. Attacks on beef traders, lynching of beef traders and consumers are all organised attempts to promote communal discord and fossilize communities on religious lines which later are wrapped under the cover of anti-nationalism. The right-wing political dispensation overtly and covertly aids and supports these Hindu fundamentalists. These cow vigilantes are actually social parasites and law-breakers. Some are even thugs who demand ‘respectability’ just because cows are held sacred and revered in Hinduism,” Timble added.
From Chandor, activist Felix Furtado points to what he sees as calculated timing and political maneuvering: “These goons, belonging to different extremist groups, let loose by the double-engine sorcar, will go to any extremes to disrupt festivals of minorities. Knowing that beef is an integral part of Christian cuisine, especially, during important festivals like Christmas, Easter and different feasts, they get sadistic pleasure in creating a ruckus.” He suggests a darker purpose behind the authorities’ response: “Government will go soft on these goons, ostensibly, these disruptions help the corrupt government functionaries to divert attention from the more contentious issues, like cash-for-jobs, illegal conversion of lands, railways double-tracking, coal transportation, etc.”
Varca Deputy Sarpanch Solon Furtado calls for a return to legal processes and communal harmony: “The recent incident of disruption by fringe elements targeting beef vendors in Goa are a clear attempt to disturb the communal harmony of the peace-loving people of the state. If suspicions of illegal activities exist, the proper channel is to report them to the concerned authorities, not take the law into one’s own hands.” He emphasizes the need for decisive action: “Authorities must take strict action against these elements to prevent repetition of such incidents and maintain public order. The rights of all citizens, including beef vendors, must be protected and respected at all cost. Goa’s tradition of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence must be preserved and promoted. By upholding the rule of law and taking decisive action against disruptive elements, we can ensure that Goa remains a beacon of peace, harmony, and inclusivity.”
The growing pattern of discrimination concerns businessman Salim Shaikh from South Goa, who sees these incidents as part of a broader trend: “This is just scratching the surface of what is happening and if the government continues to allow this, such elements will be emboldened and the situation will only get worse. Already we are hearing about how Muslim vendors are being banned for Jatras at Fatorpa and Pernem. Last time, during our religious procession, there were objections and other issues. There are people barging into homes of the minority population, do they have the right to do so. Are Muslims not meant to feel safe in Goa? Christmas/New Year’s Eve was always inclusive but now we are being targeted like this.”
As the shutdown continued throughout Monday, these voices from across South Goa paint a vivid picture of a community grappling with rising tensions and the potential unraveling of its cherished secular fabric. Their testimonies suggest that what’s at stake goes far beyond the immediate crisis, touching on fundamental questions about religious freedom, economic rights, and the future of Goa’s multicultural identity.
