Sanvordem Shame: A CRY FOR STATE ACTION
By Valmiki Faleiro
Loud and clear is the message in the groundswell of public outrage and
indignation over the Sanvordem Shame: that sensible Goans, across the
spectrum, expect their State Government to act.
To act in a manner that such ignominy will never recur in *Gomant* ... the
land Lord Parashuram created, in the famous legend, as an adobe of PEACE and
tranquil (for learned disciples who could not peacefully retire by the noisy
banks of the Saraswati river.)
The message should go in fact to ALL of Goa's politicians: that discerning and
sensitive Goans will not tolerate the tearing apart of their centuries old
tradition of peace and tolerance. That Goa is not another Gujarat, MP, Bihar
or UP -- where politicians play with people's emotions and go scot-free. That
the force of public opinion in Goa can indeed unite and rise.
The message needs to go to our few misguided fellow-Goans not just in
Sanvordem but across Goa, that their good nature is being misused by
politicians, who will not care a dime if they kill or get killed, so long as
vote banks are intact.
The government of the day has a job to perform. First and foremost, to
maintain order at all costs and re-instill confidence, so that the *aam
Goenkar,* on both sides of the divide, can pick the thread and return to
normal life.
The law has been brazenly broken and the law must be made to take its course.
Complaints need not be awaited; police must be directed to take suo moto
cognizance based on readily available evidence and spot *panchanamas.*
A Court of Enquiry must be instituted to unravel the widely suspected
political conspiracy and incitement of the public.
The Government must shift into proactive gear, to unmask the execution and
propaganda apparatus that unfolded the trouble. While the propaganda wing
spread canards (like *armed bandits from Bhatkal*) to mobilize the local
populace, unsuspecting crowds were used to camouflage small specialized groups
that systematically attacked houses and shops, leaving the loot to the avarice
of the assemblage.
A special intelligence unit must be established to monitor such a dangerous
apparatus. It may have struck before (Ponda crosses?) and will strike again.
In desperation that the strategy hasn't worked, may strike at a prominent
Hindu temple -- and promptly blame Muslims or Catholics, to stir passions and
polarize the majority community. In a small place like Goa, intelligence
failure is no excuse.
Serious shortcomings seem to ail the State police. Senior and independent
experts like KPS Gill and Karthikeyan (or Goa's own Prabhakar Sinari and
Julius Ribeiro) should be invited to study the issues, on the assurance that
their recommendations will this time be implemented.
Government must urgently address the fears held by not only Goa's majority,
but by every sensible Goan -- Muslim, Catholic and Hindu: on the issue of
unbridled migration. Migrants are a cause of local tension. A bull gone
berserk needs to be taken by the horns, cannot be brushed under the carpet.
Crosses, *gumtis* and *dargahs* which have in recent years sprouted on
roadsides and public places must be removed. No sane devotee honours god in
such dubious manner. No question of hurting *religious sentiments* either, no
god has asked for worship that generates human discord.
So-called *religious structures* constructed illegally must not receive any
special treatment, but should face the normal consequences of law, in fact
more expeditiously.
Shady activity carried out in the name of Allah, Jesus and Ram must be brought
under the purview of local intelligence units. Yes, we are a secular nation
but nobody has been bestowed with the right to instill hatred, especially in
young minds. Goa's government must act, now!
To Goans who urged a ban on religious functions in supposedly secular Govt.
Departments; to Goans who urged that the world be told that Goa abhors
violence and will continue with her tradition of harmony; to Goans like Datta
Naik, Ulhas Buyao and Shridhar Kamat who fearlessly speak their minds and
hearts out ... I tip my hat.
May the legendary peace and tranquility of Lord Parashuram forever bless this
little land!
(Series concludes)
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The above article appeared in the March 8, 2006 edition of The Herald, Goa
