KARSTEN MIRANDA
MARGAO: On December 16, 2015, Fiona Fermina Fernandes celebrated her 46th birthday and was greeted with birthday wishes and warm messages praying for her good health, happiness and long life.
Little did Fiona know that three months and eight days later, on Maundy Thursday, a day when the Goan Catholic community commemorates the last supper of Jesus Christ, she would be having her last supper too.
And on Good Friday, Goa woke up to the most horrific news that has hit the State, about a crime of such unprecedented nature and the depraved violence of a husband against his wife.
On Tuesday, Fiona’s funeral cortege left her residence from Xamoddy Dramapur and her inconsolable family and distraught friends attended her funeral at St Joseph Church, Dramapur.
Her neighbours and Dramapur residents remember the girl they once knew and also recalled their last interactions with her and how they are still in shock and cannot believe what had happened.
Amongst the strongest reactions is the feeling of resentment against the husband for spoiling the name of the deceased. They have rejected the allegations and are upset that it has not only invaded her privacy but moreover with her death, she cannot even defend herself.
“There’s not one ‘psychological term’ to describe the situation of the survivor. This loss, to a sudden, violent and gruesome act has wide ranging psychological and social impact on near and dear ones both in the immediate aftermath and in the long term,” said Dr Doreen Dias, psychiatrist.
“’Devastation’, ‘horrified’, ‘deep anger’, ‘Profound feeling of loss’, ‘incomprehensible sadness’, ‘ripped apart’, ‘helplessness’ are only a few of the emotions the family will have experienced after such a painful loss. And then, there’s the inevitable loss of privacy by media attention and investigations by law enforcers,” added Dr Doreen from Navelim.
In fact, the murder was the subject of many discussions among families at the Easter table across Goa and the frightening incident has met with widespread condemnation and a fierce disregard of the attempt by the accused to play the victim card.
“Taking the life of another person cannot be justified. We cannot accept this wicked act. In this case it is not just a murder but also an attempt to destroy the evidence,” said Fr Victor Ferrao from Rachol Seminary.
“Even if it means, life must go on. The ghastly and cruel murder that took place in Margao looks like the work of a possessed man and deserves condemnation. It solves nothing. It brings only more suffering on the society at large,” added Dr Francisco Colaco, cardiac surgeon from Margao.
Several women pointed out that marriage is a strong foundation and if at all, one is unhappy there are forums where they can seek redressal but such kind of behaviour has set a very bad precedent. Goa now shares the ignominy of cities like Delhi that has witnessed brutal atrocities against women.
They also argue that there is a need in any relationship to communicate effectively rather than use violence to thrash out trust issues. They also rue the fact that if the victim was alive, given that she was such confident and successful woman, she would have definitely made her position clear and responded to the defamatory perception created by her husband. They called the man a coward for taking this drastic step and for not being able to rise up to the occasion and handle it maturely, irrespective of whatever issues the couple was facing.
“This is a diabolical act that I could have never imagined taking place in Goa and that too by a Catholic during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is sad that we don’t practise what we preach. To try and blame her is wrong and she is not at fault. Her husband should have provided emotional support which is important in distance relationships. It is the problem with the system where the women automatically are blamed,” said women activist Auda Viegas.
Another aspect is that Fiona’s husband Anthony is considered to be a tiatrist and there has been anger among many that he has brought disrepute to a field that is known to give out social messages on family issues, love and economical compulsions.
“I do not know him personally but I am told he is a tiatrist. However, in this particular case it has no bearing if one is a tiatrist or from some other profession. He is a human being just like anyone else and has committed a crime seemingly in an improper frame of mind. It is a horrendous crime and hence justice should prevail,” said Tiatrist Wilson Mazarello.
While the family now awaits justice, prayers have been pouring from all over Goa for the deceased and the family she has left behind.
