The denial of democracy seems to be growing quick and fast in our society in Goa. The growing collapse of democracy becomes crystal clear if we critically analyze the development discourse and practice that is reining in Goa today. We seem to be subjected to what may be called development authoritarianism by our Government who seems to have become the sole arbitrator of what is thought as development for Goans. What is staring in our eyes is the disturbing fact that the natural and cultural resources of Goa and its people are being preyed upon in the name of development. A totalized form of development is being undemocratically forced on the throats of us Goans. The declassification of the coconut tree openly demonstrates that gospel of development does not recognize the sentiments and identity of Goans. What it needs is our resources as raw material to let its cronies build wealth with little or no returns to Goa and its people. As Goa is gradually getting denuded at the altar of development authoritarianism, it is time that we reclaim our right to choose our destiny and direction towards it ourselves. We cannot allow ourselves to be taken for a ride in a mad ship of development and politics by a brute naked force or deception.
Our coconut tree, the wild boar, bison, peacock, land, fields, and mountains etc., have been reduced to disposable objects that have to make way for the rampaging rat race of development. This elimination of what is considered as an obstruction to the march of development is disrupting and dislocating Goans and Goaness. That is why the developmental authoritarianism is both exploitative and violent. Goans cannot allow this destructive mode of development to triumph. The imperial development that leaves no room for us to participate but treats us as part of the raw material that creates wealth for an elite minority that is insensitive to the dynamic and plural interests and aspirations of Goans cannot be allowed to hold sway. This means Goans seem to have become more of victims rather than agents or beneficiaries of development authoritarianism. What we need is development that is a result of democratic participation. But is this really possible? Several scholars seem to indicate that authoritarianism is the dark side of all development. But all forced dispossession and dislocation of the people to make way for development have produced resistance in different degrees. We have already seen how resistance against developmental projects that have intruded and threatened to uproot Goans from our Goanness, the eco-habitat that we build down the centuries have already risen among us.
The narrative of development has very little room for Goans and is producing discontent and disillusions among several of us. The resistance to the declassification of the coconut tree has emerged as a symbol that captured all discontent with the Government and several Goans have hit the streets against the policies and practices of development. The authoritarian side of the development becomes clear in the refusal of the Government to listen to the people as well as an act of projection of some shadow beneficiaries in an attempt to change the discourse. But this attempt of the Government has not cut any ice among the ordinary Goans. Thus, finding itself between the devil and the deep sea, the Government tried to escape the dilemma through the horns of the bull by constructing an impression that a few farmers have welcomed the declassification of the coconut tree. But this attempt did not gather moss as declassification of the coconut tree had become a breaking point where Goans seem to have sensed a compelling imperative which says ‘enough is enough’ to all anti-Goa development pursued by the Government. The social media buzz and popular response to the Madd yatra demonstrates that Goans are fast losing their faith in the present dispensation.
The so-called development of Goa is steadily perceived as destruction of Goa. The regional plan, the defence expo, the golf course, heli-tourism, casinos etc do not have a convincing content of progress for Goans. It actually narrates an anticipation of an approaching destruction and loss of Goanness producing anxiety and resistance. Moreover, a dictatorial declaration of the Chief Minister that he would arrest all those who resist the Defence expo in Betul is another indication of development authoritarianism that is afflicting Goa today. With no clear opposition from the principal opposition party, Goans are left to find ways to express their opposition by themselves. This gross abdication of the responsibility by the opposition has opened the ground for the third front to provide leadership to the people’s struggles in Goa. The third space has become open for several players today. This has happened simply because the grand old Congress Party has almost disappeared from the horizon of Goan Politics.
The fact, that principal opposition Party has been a reluctant ally in the fight of Goans against the Government to save Goa has led to the loss of credibility of grand old Congress Party in Goa. All most all those who lost election became dormant after the last election. With the exception of one Reginaldo Lourenco, the distinguished silence of its MLAs in the house is loud and clear. The steady coming back of the old guard among them and positioning of themselves as tall leaders that would design the future of Goans and Goa is another form of authoritarianism. If the development forced on the Goans by the Government is a form of dadagiri, the revival of the old guard rejected by the Goans for their misdeeds in the last election is another shade of dadagiri. Will Goans tolerate such brazen demonstration of an arrogance that seems to say; ‘You are betrayed by the Government, now give us chance because you have no other alternative’? What Goans are to do with a Government that is pushing anti-Goa development authoritarianism? Will they turn to the Grand old Congress Party that is refusing to reform itself? Will that mean self respecting Goans will accept ‘forced freedoms’?
(The author is the Dean of Philosophy, Rachol Seminary)
