SANKHALI: January 16 is the 56th anniversary of Goa’s Opinion Poll. January 16, 2023, could well be the first anniversary of a rejuvenated people’s battle for Goa’s protection, for preservation, and identity. The hunger and thirst that triggered this movement, was what right-thinking Goans have called a massive betrayal of Goa’s interests by allowing Karnataka to construct canals, purportedly for drinking water and diverting the Mhadei waters from Goa to Karnataka.
Opposition parties and Mhadei activists have said that notwithstanding the Goa government’s air dashes to Delhi and photo ops with central leaders, the seriousness to push for Goa’s interests and the protection of Mhadei hasn’t come through. The withdrawal of permission to hold the public rally in Sankhali by the Chief Officer of the local council, without the elected councillors’ concurrence, has further led to fissures between the people and the ruling dispensation.
The organisers have informed that after the original permissions for the meeting were rejected the venue is now a private venue. Ironically the land where the meeting is supposed to be held belongs to the Chairperson of Sankhali Municipal Council Rajesh Sawal. The Sankhali Council is a civic body which is not politically aligned with CM Sawant.
Around 5,000 to 7,500 people are set to attend the Save Mhadei Save Goa mega meeting to be held at Amona Sankhali on Monday to create awareness against the diversion of River Mhadei. The organisers have informed that all permissions as far as sound is concerned have been granted.
Hrudaynath Shirodkar, Convenor of the Save Mhadei Save Goa movement said, “After cutting short attendance we are expecting nearly 7,000 persons.”
Since the land is private, we have intimated the police for law and order and traffic arrangements,” he said.
Sankhali Municipal Council chairperson Rajesh Sawal said, “We have intimated the police regarding the meeting and we expect the police to acknowledge and cooperate for the cause of River Mhadei.”
Inspector General of Police Omvir Singh Bishnoi when contacted said, “We have made all the necessary arrangements of law and order and traffic arrangements. We will ensure that there are no issues.”
The meeting gains importance because it is being held in the constituency of the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant who had once said that Mhadei is his mother and he won’t allow its sabotage. Even the BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanavade appealed to local self-bodies to pass resolutions opposing any move to divert Mhadei waters.
Meanwhile, the major opposition parties along with NGOs have left no stone unturned to ensure the success of the mega Save Mhadei Save meeting organised near the Virdi-Amona Bridge in the Sankhali constituency on Monday evening.
The opposition parties for the first time have come together in protest against the Central Water Commission (CWC) approving the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by Karnataka for the Kalasa-Bandura dam project by diverting Mhadei waters.
The opposition parties have been creating awareness about the importance of protecting Mhadei River amongst the masses. On Saturday, the leaders of opposition parties such as Congress, Goa Forward, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) NCP and Shiv Sena came together at Azad Maidan, Panjim and appealed to the people of Goa to attend the meeting.
Several environmental and social activists and institutions of faith have also given a call to the people of Goa to come out in large numbers for this rally to show Goa’s feelings toward the Centre, which approved the DPR (Project report of canal construction on Mhadei) of Karnataka last month. The approval of DPR was first announced by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on the last day of the winter session of the Karnataka Assembly held at Belagavi.
Since then the political parties in the State have been opposing the Centre’s decision.
But ultimately it will be a people’s rally. Goa’s daughters and sons will march in large numbers reminiscent of the peak of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan struggle against the draconian Regional Plan of 2011. There will be clenched fists, lumps in throats and moist eyes. But above all, there will be fire in their bellies to protect their mother- Mhadei and save Goa’s lifeline from Karnataka’s designs.
