Kannadiga organisations in Goa have called on political parties to stop addressing them as ‘Ghanti’ and denounced what they described as ‘anti-migrant and divisive’ politics.
Speaking during the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations in Sancoale, attended by former Karnataka Minister Basangouda Patil Yatnal, Kannada Sahitya Parishad president Siddhanna Meti emphasised that the community has long been an integral part of Goa’s social fabric.
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“Many of us were born and brought up in Goa and are registered voters here. I am 53 years old, born here, educated here, and working here — so why should we still be labelled as ‘Ghantis’? We are like brothers and sisters,” Meti said.
He added, “We are not the same old people cleaning gutters. We work hard like everyone else. The Constitution gives every citizen the right to live and work anywhere in India. Have some regional parties forgotten that?”
Meti accused a regional party of unfairly targeting small vendors while ignoring wealthy outsiders who have purchased large tracts of land in Goa. He also highlighted the contributions of Kannadigas to Goa’s politics, pointing to the election of Anusha Lamani as Sancoale sarpanch as an example.
“Support us, and we will support you in the elections,” Meti asserted.
