From: b sabha <bcsabha.kal...@gmail.com> From: Roger D'Souza <rdsg2...@gmail.com<mailto:rdsg2...@gmail.com>>
Chasm bet govt and it’s people grows, after Fr Bismarque’s death (Herald Editorial) The chasm between the government and civic society has widened to such a point that unless there is a forcible stitch to sew the gap or build a bridge of confidence which looks less and less likely, with each passing day, this might reach a point of no return. The death of Father Bismarque Dias and the almost conclusive belief of civic society that the fiery activist priest was done to death, could have been tempered on the first day if the Parsekar government had even realised that his death would lead to a massive fallout among a very suspicious- and rightly so- civic society. It’s going to be four days since Father Bismarque, one of Goa’s most outspoken fiery and loved crusaders against the forcible loss of land has died. He was not an unknown activist and had been the leading figure on the other side of the barricade that always separates the uniformed police from ordinary people. At the very least, the Chief Minister should issued a statement expressing his sadness at the passing away of a man who protected a very sacred space belonging to the people and to the land he was the son of. Alas, most politicians are guilt ridden. They may not be pronounced guilty by any court of law but possessed by their own demons. The Honourable Chief Minister probably saw himself as the MLA of Mandrem and realised that this man has been at the heart of every agitation against the state, and specially against projects that the Chief Minister has personally backed- the Tiracol Golf Course and villa project, the Electronic city at Tuem and of course the Mopa airport project. Meanwhile, the MLA of Cumbharjua, of which St Estevam is a part of, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar, realized that caution is a better part of valour and has made himself scarce, lest there is a public outburst at any of his remarks, even if he means well. Clearly the people and those in power seem to be living and functioning in two different worlds. And while the people of Goa realise that this gap is actually resulting in their coercive people’s action stopping short of the altar of power, the politically elected executive will realise, at their own peril, that governance cannot be taken to its logical conclusion of increasing the happiness index of its people, unless the process of dialogue and interaction continues. The people of Goa, or at least sections of which are taking up class action against the government, can still continue to see the government as its enemy because of the shutting down of communication and interaction. But can the government afford to pay its people back in the same coin? These are the same set – and this universe has grown only bigger- which stood shoulder to shoulder with the opposition party between 2007 and 2012- the BJP. The leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar, saw them as allies and friends. And to be fair to the then Congress Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, he was the only one who allowed activists into his home and take their calls at any point of time. In fact many in civic society appreciate those gestures and values of Mr Kamat, even in the wake of a massive civic movement against some of his indecisions. In the aftermath of Father Bismarque’s death, the government had a wonderful opportunity to reach out and promise a fair investigation. The only officer who has managed to strike a chord is the Additional Collector Swapnil Naik who agreed to a second autopsy of Father Bismarque’s body and passed an order close to midnight. Besides him, the government, the ruling party and the non- existent opposition has virtually looked the other way, as civic society has cried foul over the death of one its most powerful soldiers. Governance is not about winning awards for “ Best state” or getting obscure “ International” tourism awards. It’s about having and winning the confidence of its people in doing good and giving justice. It has done neither, since the brave son of St Estevam passed away. [http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/epaperimages/10112015/10112015-md-hr-1/175851790.JPG] [http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/epaperimages/10112015/10112015-md-hr-1/17593227.JPG] [http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/epaperimages/10112015/10112015-md-hr-11/18236181.JPG]
