Gomantak Times, 22/12/06 Gauns urges govt to release enquiry report
Panjim: Citizens' Initiatives for Communal Harmony (CICH) Co-Convenor Ramesh Gauns called for the government to release the enquiry report of Sanvordem-Curchorem communal violence. Pointing out that six months have now passed since May 2006, when the enquiry under the North Goa District Collector was set up, Gauns charged that the government is not serious about the issue and demanded that the government put before the people the report at the earliest. He was speaking at the Citizens' Initiatives for Communal Harmony rally organised on the occasion of Liberation Day at Azad Maidan, Panjim. Participants demanded to end attempts to communalize Goa and also took an oath to work towards Goa where everybody's dream and specially those of the hardworking masses would be valued, where the strategy of divide and rule would be comprehensively defeated and where land, water, and natural resources are sustained in people's hands. Christopher Fonseca of AITUC said that communal forces must be defeated and commended the efforts of CICH in creating awareness on the issue of communalism and its dangers. He stressed the important role that the working class has to play in ensuring that communal forces do not succeed in their designs of dividing the people. He said that a society in which there is no true equality between all people is not a just society. Sabina Martins from Bailancho Saad pointed out that while a public outcry against communalism is necessary, it is equally important to ensure we guard against communal practices in our day to day lives, be it in the home, workplace or anywhere. She also emphasized that tokenism should be avoided. Mr.Dadu Mandrekar, noted activist, spoke about the importance of fighting the evil of caste, and urged the audience to strive for building a society that does not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion or gender. Besides, there were other cultural programmes such as a skit on the avarice of Goa's politicians, a skit 'Hum Vahan Ke Bacche Hain' showing how children of poor migrants are discriminated and treated badly, and how changes need to be made to ensure that no child is neglected or mistreated by the system. -- Question everything -- Karl Marx
