Team Herald
PANJIM: As part of its nationwide Samvidhan Bachao Abhiyan (Save the Constitution Campaign), the Goa Congress held a public meeting at Azad Maidan in the state capital to train its guns on the ruling BJP government.
While the gathering drew a large crowd, the composition of the crowd - many of whom were obviously not indigenous Goans - has raised questions about the involvement of locals in the agitation.
Senior Congress leaders addressed the gathering, voicing concerns over what they termed as a steady erosion of constitutional values, rising crime rates, and mounting unemployment. The speakers accused the BJP-led government, both at the Centre and in Goa, of undermining democratic institutions and called on citizens to stand up in defence of the Constitution.
Addressing the crowd, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes alleged that the current regime is attempting to dilute the powers granted to the people by the Constitution. “Recently, we saw the Vice President attack the Chief Justice of India, followed by another BJP MP making similar remarks. Last year, Anant Kumar Hegde said the Constitution could be changed if the BJP gets a two-thirds majority. This is alarming and shows their real intentions,” Fernandes said.
He further alleged that the Pramod Sawant-led Goa government operates under the control of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “Though elected by Goans, the state government is just a puppet. Laws are being made to benefit real estate lobbies from Delhi. Goa’s natural resources—its hills, fields and rivers—are under threat. The nationalisation of our rivers in 2016 and the approval of the Kalasa-Bhandura DPR in 2023 by the Modi government is proof,” he added. Fernandes also expressed concern over North Goa’s growing drug menace, stating, “Goa was once one of the safest states. Now, North Goa is being called a drug state. This must change.”
Dr Pratiksha Khalap, President of the Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress, criticized the BJP for allegedly failing to deliver on its promises. “Every promise they made has turned out to be a ‘jumla’,” she said.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar joined in the criticism, saying, “Basic services like water and electricity are failing in Goa. The BJP has misled people in the name of land and mining scams.”
He also highlighted rising crime in the state, stating, “Rapes, murders, kidnappings—these are becoming daily occurrences. We must raise our voices against this government and protect our Constitution.”
Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, Goa desk co-incharge, emphasized the need for unity against terrorism and divisive politics. “Terrorism has no religion, caste or colour. But whenever BJP feels threatened, it uses the ED, IT and CBI to suppress the opposition. Meanwhile, common people are grappling with inflation while the BJP continues to focus on caste and religion,” she said.