MARGAO
The government came under fire over police inaction against Bajrang Dal activists for the late night protest at the residence of Uday Bhembre, as citizens questioned why no action has been initiated till date as 24 hours have passed since the writer had lodged a police complaint.
At a meeting on Sunday, speakers questioned whether the government was in sleep mode, criticizing police inaction and the Fatorda police's delay in registering an FIR. They argued that this hesitation has only fueled doubts and suspicions about who might be backing the Bajrang Dal in the attack on Bhembre’s residence on Friday night.
Sending a message loud and clear that the citizens will not keep quite over the incident, speakers warned the government of a massive public meeting at the historic Lohia Maidan if the police do not initiate action on Bhembre’s complaint.
Condemning the trespass and abuse of Bhembre, a gathering of citizens from all walks of life demanded immediate police action in the matter.
A resolution adopted at the meeting held at the St Sebastian open floor at the Chowgule College junction stated that the gathering believes that the Bajrang Dal is out to terrorize the people opposed to a secular viewpoint. The meeting stated that unless these activists are checked, they will destroy the tolerant secular culture of Goa.
Lamenting that the police have done little for past two days which has only emboldened the hooligans, the meeting said the government’s silent spectator attitude in past incidents has brought the situation to this sorry state that they have the gumption to attack a senior Goan at night.
Demanding immediate police protection to Bhembre, the gathering demanded that the government should come clean on freedom of expression by immediate action on the culprits.
Citizens from all walks of life, including South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares, AAP MLA Cruz Silva, noted Konkani writers Damodar Mauzo, Fr Mousinho Ataide, representatives of various Konkani organizations attended the meeting called by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal.
President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Ratnamala Diukar set the ball rolling when she expressed concern that citizens had to come out to assert their democratic right for free speech and expression more than 60 years after Dr Ram Manohar Lohia had descended in Goa to liberate the state from Portuguese rule. “We have heard in recent times fatwas being issued by certain organisations not to allow certain communities to do business at Zatras and buy flowers from certain individuals. Are we living in a Taliban Raj in Goa”, she questioned.
Ratnamala demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should order an immediate inquiry and initiate action.
Social activist Vikas Bhagat said the people of Goa can also speak the language of the Bajrang Dal workers. “People of Goa will give them the answer. They should be arrested immediately. We also respect Shivaji Maharaj”, he added.
In his address, Fr Mouzinho Ataide said the Constitution has given the citizens the right to think, like and talk. “If someone had any objections to what Bhembre had commented on Shivaji, they ought to have adopted the right means to counter him. What has happened to Bhembre can happen to anyone. Democracy will be in peril if we accept what they want or demand”, Fr Ataide said, while urging the gathering to unite to fight to protect democracy.
In his fiery address, Prashant Naik wanted to know whether the government is in a sleep mode or what is happening in Goa is with the government’s support. “The government was quick to arrest activist Rama Kankonkar when there was no complainant. Here is a case when a 85-year old citizen, who has fought for Goa’s identity had complained, but the police action is not forthcoming”, Prashant said.
Saying that what has happened at the residence of Uday Bhembre is just the beginning, he said the organization had invited a person from Hyderabad recently who had given a call to the Hindus to stock swords in their houses for security. “We Goans do not require swords to address our issue because Hindus, Christians and Muslim live in amity and brotherhood”, he added.
Anant Agni, Prakash Naik and others also addressed the meeting.
