Goa’s social harmony is all-important and the State should not let that get affected at any cost
There are other important issues that Goans need to be alert against, which the government should also address
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A couple of days ago the Honorable Chief Minister of Goa made a significant remark asking the people of Goa to be “alert to religious conversion forces”. He said this at the inauguration of a Church Hall in Ribandar. While saying that Goans lived in harmony our Respected CM said, “But of late, some religious conversion forces have entered the State and we Goans need to be alert.”
A remark like this by none other than the head of the government is a matter of concern. The very harmony and peace that the Chief Minister mentioned are likely to be under scrutiny if one community feels that another community is indulging in any conversions. Goa is indeed one of the best examples of harmony and peaceful co-existence between communities.
However, when an alarm about conversions is raised by a Chief Minister, it is intended and does have an impact, even though Goa’s social fabric is strong. Which is why we expect and hope that the Chief Minister Sir must have made such remarks with full responsibility.
If conversion forces are in Goa, they must be identified and tracked.
If conversion forces have entered Goa, then it would have been much better for the Chief Minister to assure us that they have been identified and tracked.
If such forces have entered the State, then isn’t it the responsibility of the State machinery to give confidence to the people that they have been identified and will be tracked and prevented from carrying out any illegal act of forced conversions? And if any forced conversion attempt has been made or conversion actually happened the details of such cases should be given along with the FIR lodged and the arrests made. Herald will fully support you in this.
When the government is alert and action-oriented, the people need to be safe and not on alert.
The government is the watchman or “chowkidar” (as referred to in Hindi). When the watchman is alert and protects the people, the people feel safe and do not need to be alert. And in the event of such a danger or alarm being genuinely present, then a meeting of leaders of all faiths should be called and all faith leaders and influencers should be asked to send a message that no one will be allowed to disturb Goa’s religious harmony and action has always been initiated.
Respected CM, when such issues are handled by asking people to be alert, it leaves room for doubt and allows some political forces to play politics of polarization
Goa, rest assured is a land that is never be polarized. And your intention to make Goans alert, we believe was made out of genuine concern. But a State is expected to handle people’s concerns to keep them at peace. This is after all election year. Political forces who feel that anything goes in the time of politics can take advantage and use this for their political ends. And it is of particular importance that the Chief Minister made his remark about religious conversion forces in a place of worship. But the Chief Minister himself has guided us on occasions and said that politics would never be mixed with religion and therefore his remarks should not be misused by anyone trying to play politics.
If you, respected CM, protect Goa and take decisive action against wrongdoers and religious conversion forces, the whole of Goa will respect and support you.
But Sir, there are other important issues that Goans need to be alert against. They are:
– The rising prices especially the price of petrol Sir, which is throwing family budgets haywire
– The rising rate of unemployment and closing down of businesses Sir,
– The struggle for village and small-town level businessmen to get local contracts and do honest work, which is being snatched away from them by tender sharks close to the government
– The uncertainly of who will restart Goa’s mining. You have not specified Sir if you will ask the same illegal miners to come back or will mining finally be in the hands of the people through the mining corporation
– The now almost certain increase in coal transportation through the doubling of railway tracks will lead to an increase of pollution and disease.
– The dangers of the Major Ports Bill that would take away the rights of village bodies, urban bodies and the rights of traditional fishermen. Your government said in the Assembly, that the Major Ports Bill will take away the rights of land use planning and the traditional importance of grassroots organizations by the Major Ports Authority. You have not elaborated Sir, on whether your government is constantly following up on this so that Goa’s interests are not sold to big corporate players.
If you CM Sir feel that any of these points are incorrect or you do not agree to some of the concerns that Goans need to be alert against, we will be more than privileged to take those viewpoints to the people of Goa.
But most importantly, you will agree and fully support the view that we are proud of Goa’s communal harmony and if there is any attempt to spoil that, you will be fully alert and take action, so that no one dares to use faith for narrow politics.
