During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
-- George Orwell [ Quoted in GT 31.3.05]
The whole issue of 'vandalism'[ 'agitation' according to Naguesh Karmali] at Fontainhas or Mala is now becoming a farce or a natak. The GT questions the integrity and courage of GHAG as if the the road names on azulejo put in January,2004, by the Corporation of the City of Panaji [ not by the Portuguese EIP Administration, Fundacao Oriente, GHAG or even the old Panjim Municipal Council] were some "heritage" artefacts. One year old ceramic tiles are no heritage. They do not need GHAG intervention. A simple police action against the vandalism by the Panaji Nagrik Kruti Samiti -PNKS [and not "Mala Citizens Action Committee" as reported] would suffice. The road naming issue was not limited to Mala/Fontainhas as is being made out to put GHAG on the mat because it organised the Fontainhas Festival of Art for two years. It is also not a Catholic -Hindu issue, or Portuguese speaking v/s Marathi speaking Goans issue. When the issue of the Tonca Pillar and re-naming of the other roads is seen in the totality, this becomes clear. If GT has a blinkered vision, the GHAG or PNKS canot be blamed. It is not as if only the residents of Fontainhas are scared to file complaints. What has happened to the complaint filed by Jack Sukhija of Panjim Inn? Has an identification parade been held? Even in a high profile case of an attack on GT cameraman[ and Congresman] Barnabe Sapeco, no identification parade has been held. The old policemen to not listen to the Congressmen because they were allegedly forced to pay their way in. The younger policemen owe their loyalty to the BJP which has allegedly favoured them. Gratitude is being repaid in kind. Will GT agitate in front of the Police HQ to seek justice for its cameraman? ..................................................................
MALA VANDALISM CASE CLOSED: In a very surprising decision, the Goa police have closed the case of vandalism apparently indulged in by members and sympathisers of the Sangh Parivar at Fontainhas-Mala, Panjim nine months ago. Deputy IGP Muktesh Chander said the case was sent to the court as 'A Final' for lack of evidence. "No one has come forward to furnish names of the culprits. Neither were there any photographs with negatives," said SP (North) Sharad Aggarwal, replying to a query at a press conference held at the police HQ. (H) Victory for vandalism as Mala case quashed. Decision to close case taken by Parrikar government just before it was dismissed; Governor S C Jamir kept in the dark.
GOMANTAK TIMES carries photographs, under the caption 'Do you need more evidence, your excellency?' RSS activists under the garb of Mala Citizens Action Committee strike a body blow to Goa's social fabric. Also seen are Vilas Satarkar (circled), brother of ex-Speaker Vishwas Satarkar and others. The leader of the pack, Naguesh Karmali after destroying and defacing Portuguese street signage and replacing them with *Hindu (sic) names*. Photo courtesy Sunaparant. ...............................................
"19 December" written in Devanagri script is NOT a "Hindu name". I fully agree with Naguesh Karmali. "Even Vithal Rakhumai is not a Hindu deity." says Karmali. I agree with him,too. The NDTV had broadcast that "Mandara Devi " or "Kallu bai" of Satara is also not a Hindu deity. All those who speak, read and/or write Marathi are not hindus. All catholics are not converted from hinduism. These are just our presumptions....which are not correct at all. Shigmo is as much a hindu festival as carnival is catholic. Ask the Archbishop if Carnival is a catholic festival and he will tell you it is not. Shigmo is a festival of the Konkan, like the Bonderam of Divar. It is not a hindu festival like the holi.
And the sky does not fall if a Raintree planted in 1985 [ along with a hundred odd Coconut trees]by the Social Forestry Division of Goa is cut down for road widening at Guirim. If journalists and Editors begin teaching Environmental Science and arboriculture to trained professionals in forestry and arboriculture, will they be open to Foresters teaching them journalism and editing?? Consult a professional before shooting in the dark, that is the bare minimum one should do when rushing into another's field of expertise.
If Sujay Gupta follows in the footsteps of Rajan Narayan, he will obviously reach the same place where the latter has reached. It is time for introspection already. Santa Inez is not so far away from San Tome as one would like to imagine. May be a renaming of the roads is in order. ;-(
Viva Goa. Miguel
