In a major disappointment for minorities who protested at Azad Maidan for the establishment of a State Minority Commission, the government has stated there is no need to set up such a body in Goa.
Speaking at a press conference at the party office in the city, Minister for Industries, Trade and Commerce and Panchayati Raj Mauvin Godinho said the Pramod Sawant-led government had never discriminated while providing central or State schemes to the people.
Alleging that some were attempting to create divisions between communities, Godinho said, “We do not discriminate while providing schemes, central or State government schemes, to the people. Demands are being made for a separate commission for minorities, but the fact is that there is no need to have a commission in the State.”
He added that “many of the components have achieved mainstreaming and consistent efforts are being made to render full participation and benefits in the various relevant schemes for minority communities.”
Godinho said nearly 17 schemes under various departments are also applicable to minorities. “When there is a saturation point and schemes are already being given, what will be the resultant outcome if a Minority Commission is set up? It will only duplicate work. People need to understand that benefits are already being provided. When departments already exist, there is no need for a commission,” he said.
The minister maintained that the interests of minorities were safeguarded and welfare measures were in place for their upliftment. “In the given scenario, there is no alarming need for setting up a minority commission in Goa, as that will lead to duplicity of thealready existing mechanism, which is both transparent and accountable,” he added.
St Cruz MLA Rodolfo Fernandes said that in Goa, “people do not believe in the caste system and they stay peacefully.”
Former Aldona MLA Glenn Ticlo said, “Three issues were raised in a recent meeting in the city and one of them was setting up a Minority Commission. My view, and the view of the party, is that there is no need for a Minority Commission. We have given all the schemes to each and every individual.”
When asked why no statement had been made by MLAs on the arrests of two nuns in Chhattisgarh, Godinho said, “I can tell you one thing. They were granted bail. The majesty of law is there. The law of the land will always prevail. Our country runs on good law. So there is no need for any fear.”
On Saturday, hundreds of people under the banner of the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) gathered in Panjim to express solidarity with the two nuns, recently arrested and later released on bail in Chhattisgarh. They demanded the constitution of a Goa State Minority Commission and voiced strong opposition to the proposed anti-conversion law.
The memorandum ‘Stop persecuting minorities in India’ was signed by the participants, which will be submitted to the government.
The memorandum was read out by CSJP executive secretary Fr Savio Fernandes, who opposed the anti-conversion law stating that this law enacted in other States, had the potential to be used against the minorities and deny people of services rendered by persons of minority faiths. He also demanded restoration of law and order by protecting religious freedom and minority rights.
The speakers from many religious faiths strongly condemned attacks on minorities across the State.
Representatives of the Citizens Initiative for Communal Harmony, the Catholic Association and the Alliance defending Freedom had condemned the attacks against minorities across the country and demanded formation of a Goa Minority Commission and opposed the proposed enactment of an anti-conversion law in the State.