In the laboratories of social activism and social change, which is headquartered in the hearts of the people of Goa, there is a new experiment that they need to do, for the sake of Chief Minister Parsekar. He has asked the people of Goa, where he can go looking for Justice. On Saturday, when night fell, and the bruised and battered people of Goa were sent back, almost as criminals, for committing the ultimate crime of fighting for Goa, the Chief Minister of Goa, Mr Laxmikant Parsekar asked Herald, “What do they want. What justice do people want. Is it something I can buy from the market?”
The Chief Minister is in a quandary. And we have a serious problem. If the principle law maker and law protector of Goa, whose party was elected because it promised hope and justice to the people of Goa, against corruption and justices of the Congress rule, asks where he should go for justice, then Goa’s social activism laboratories should give him a formula he will never forget.
For close to twenty days, since Father Bismarque’s body was found floating in the river, the state has abetted in singlehandedly – with the help of at least one loyal media house – spun a consistent yarn to brand Father Bismarque as a depressed alcoholic, who went through life on anti-depressant pills, and pints of beer. If Parsekar understood what Justice was, he should have ordered a Crime Branch or independent inquiry on day one, ensured a single autopsy which was credible and took into account everything that those who have seen the body and signed the panchnama have seen, and above all shown empathy for the man Father Bismarque. Mr Parsekar, justice is not measured by the number of judgments you get in your favour. It is measured by the decisions you take, based on the power the constitution has given you and in favour of, and heeding to the sentiments of those who have elected you. If you still do not know where to find it, we tell you to find it within yourself.
But on Saturday November 21, Mr Parsekar fell off all roads which lead to justice. He obviously did not look deep within, to search for even a few droplets of humanity, lingering on the precipice of his conscience. If he did indeed find them, he would have moistened his crude and inhuman interpretation of Section 144, which comes into play, if imposed, when there is an unlawful assembly of ten or more people.
We can therefore surely tell him where he would have found injustice. On the streets of Panjim, on Saturday, Nov 21. On a day when he forgot that every citizen has the right to ventilate his grievances, a right that cannot be curtailed if exercised in lawful manner. What was the danger to public peace, if large groups of people – hurt, bruised and very emotional were arriving to pay homage, sing, pray and register their peaceful protests? Where was justice when the police barged into ferries and dragged people out, shoved them, abused them with words like “Justice dita tuka F**ya”? Where was justice when elderly women, as old as Mr Parsekar’s previous generation were dragged and shove into vans?
But Goans thank you Mr Parsekar for uniting them with a passion and zeal, which will stick like glue to bring you down. This is not personal or political. This is only a fight-back against your blind power trip, by people of Goa who hold their pride and dignity dear. They have no fear now. And they don’t need you now to deliver justice, whether you find it or not. Your time has gone. Goa will have no Catholics or Hindus or those from other communities you can play with. Goa will have only one divide between those who truly love Goa and those who want to sell Goa. And Saturday Nov 21 showed you don’t qualify in the first group but each one, who your khaki brutes, picked up and shoved in vans, do qualify. AND we will fight for them. They love Goa.
Finally if you wanted to see solidarity and brace yourself for what is coming, you should have been in Siolim on Sunday where a candlelight procession was held by the Siolim Nagrik Samiti when both communities joined hands to ‘seek justice for Fr Bismarque’. Candles were lit at every cross, chapel and Hindu religious sites. At the temple where the famous Siolim zagor is held, Catholics as well as Hindus recited prayers for Father Bismarque.
This is our Goa Mr Parsekar. You have recently acquired a habit of referring to people fighting for justice for Father Bismarque as “they”. Sometimes the biggest mistakes are made by uttering one wrong word. This could be yours. The word “they” will haunt you. The people of Goa, have also learnt a lesson. There is no greater folly than standing in the wrong line. People of Goa won’t stand waiting in your line anymore.
