PORVORIM: Even as the House unanimously vowed to weed out the archaic tradition of discrimination against widows, several legislators called for a law banning social and religious customs that isolate widows. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he would hold a detailed discussion on the issue and arrive at a decision during the next session of the State Legislative Assembly.
During the Zero Hour, Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao raised concerns over the prevalence of widow discrimination, widow abuse and widow isolation in the State.
He said that though there are no registered complaints, the isolation, discrimination and abuse are taken for granted as part of customs, traditions and religious or social practice.
The Congress MLA informed the House that few Village Panchayats in Goa have taken resolutions against such inhuman customs, stating that a widow should be treated on par with a married woman.
“The government should contemplate bringing in a Law to stop such unjust practices,” he demanded.
He was backed by Congress MLA Digambar Kamat and GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai, who said that Goa should set a precedent by introducing a law banning such customs. The Chief Minister said that it is a ritual practice which is being followed in several villages across religions and caste.
“I am also of the opinion that everyone should be respected, and treated as human beings,” he said.
