Speaking at a private function at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Saturday, Wagh came down heavily on the govt for curbing criticism at the fest. He said, “The competition that took place some days back was full of praises for the government and was mandated not to have criticism. I think this is not right. We have to give freedom to tiatrists to speak for or against the government and not tell them what to speak. I am a representative of St Andre and Vijai Sardesai of Fatorda, tiatr is the peoples’ representative and needs to be given due freedom.”
He further said, “For us Goans, tiatr is not just a form of entertainment. It’s our passion and breath. Tiatr has a long history and so many artistes and writers have contributed to the legacy. Tiatrists, through their devotion to the art and honesty, have earned the right and privilege to criticise the elected representatives of the State.”
He added, “I agree that it was not just for entertainment, but for awareness and to educate the society. Tiatrists have a right to criticise what they feel is bad or wrong. I am speaking as a part of the ruling government. We cannot tell tiatrists to sing or narrate only good about the government, but have to be ready to take the criticism.”
and have to understand that they have earned the right to criticise us. We have to work to improve ourselves on that basis.”
