Many Goans feel that the utterly hurtful sentiments of Subhash Velingkar were made to divert attention from the anti-land conversion movement which is getting stronger by the day. It is a movement of Goa, for Goans and by Goans across religious lines.
These are some of the
strong voices:
All politicians are involved in these (land scams) and they are out to finish Goa- Xencor
Forty-nine lakh square metres of land have been converted, mainly by migrant builders. At Sancoale, the people are protesting against Bhutani. At Chopdem, people are protesting against those trying to destroy the hill. In Morjim, one Karnataka actor has destroyed the hill and has dug bore wells, depriving the people below of water. Now that there are huge protests against the Town and Country Planning Department and the Chief Town Planner, the climate is heated up. At this time religious issues are being raised against a Saint. We condemn this. This is to divert the attention of the people. All the politicians are involved in these (land scams) and they are out to finish Goa.
-Xencor Polgi, social activist
Poisonous snakes have been let out to divide Goa- Mariano
For the last 63 years niz Goenkars have been living peacefully like brothers and sisters –Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Those whom we elected to save Goa have let out poisonous snakes to divide Goa. Because the administration has totally failed, and they are unable to hide, they have let out these poisonous snakes. These snakes which are spreading venom are from the same party.
-Mariano Ferrao, social activist
Their motive is that Goans should not be united- Tanoj
Till Goans have their land, they have their identity, otherwise all will be lost. I also believe in St Francis Xavier and I had a hunch that the way the agitations were going, they would do something. BJP has a cut in this. Their motive is that Goans should not be united and not live in peace.
-Tanoj Adwalpalkar
Let us Goans stay peacefully
in Goa- Tara
The rich and mighty are just mad to come to Goa and you are opening up Goa for them. You will get crores of rupees. I think you (Velingkar) too want a share of Rs 300 crore. Let us Goans stay peacefully in Goa. If you have guts go after Chief Minister and TCP Minister who have destroyed our hills and forests.
-Tara Kerkar, social activist
This has been purposely instigated because they want to hide the bigger agitations like hill cutting- Cecille
Today the tension in Goa is rising. A stop can be put to this. But the elected head is not taking charge to put an end to this and is allowing it to happen. It looks like this has been purposely instigated and has not been calmed down, because they want to hide the bigger agitations that are happening regarding land grabbing, hill cutting and filling of fields.
-Cecille Rodrigues, social activist
First ploy is to divert, the second is to polarise- Trajano
When the communal statement is made see how the attention is diverted. The second agenda is to polarise. The present dispensation has nothing to show the people. So the only thing is to polarise on caste and religion and try to secure the vote. But even that in the general elections did not work. It has been proved that polarisation does not work.
Trajano D’Mello, Political Commentator