Team Herald
PANJIM: The Opposition Congress party held a peaceful Satyagraha at Gandhi Circle, Old Goa on Wednesday and urged the people of the State not to get instigated by divisive and anti-social elements.
Speaking on the occasion, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “The BJP government is selling Goa. We have to protect our communal harmony. There should be no divide based on caste and religion. As the Opposition has exposed the government on corruption, land conversion and rising unemployment, the BJP is trying to create division on the communal lines. In Goa, all communities have stayed together and communal harmony has been the uniqueness of the State. I appeal to the people not to fall prey to elements who want to divide us and to retain age-old amity.”
Yuri said that it was shocking that despite Old Goa area being known as a World Heritage site, the BJP government was eyeing it to sell to ‘Sharma’ and ‘Verma.’
“BJP is recklessly selling Goa and our Mother Mhadei. Earlier it tried to allow the IPB resort project in Old Goa, but after we raised our voice against it, the government was forced to scrap it. Now they are eyeing another big pocket land in Ella in this vicinity,” he asserted.
He further said that Congress would not allow the govt to destroy the historical site and demanded action against the controversial illegal bungalow built at Old Goa.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar, said, “Goans have always practiced communal harmony by respecting all religions. Goans from all religion participate jatras, feasts and Eid celebrations. I am proud that Goans follow the ideology of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi and not of Nathuram Godse.”
“It is most unfortunate that certain anti-social elements are trying to create communal unrest in Goa with muscle power patronised by a section of the party in power. It is shocking that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who holds the home portfolio is totally silent on the incidents at Canacona and Cuncolim,” he said.
Patkar appealed to all Goans across religions not to get instigated by divisive and anti-social elements. “We must unite to preserve our culture and heritage,” he said.
South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes said, “While the poor and the middle-class people are struggling to earn their livelihood, there are certain elements who are at destruction. If BJP has a policy of bulldozing, then is it not using the bulldozer for illegal bungalow constructed here. Why is it being protected? When Congress will come back to power, it will bulldoze not only the illegal bungalow but also corruption.”
MLAs Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira and Altone D’Costa were also present.