The Politics and Profit in Selective Outrage Against Abuse and Violence -Soter

 Lead article published in oHeraldo on October 27, 2025

The public outcry against the deteriorating law and order situation suffers from contradictions.

The cowardly and brutal assault by goons on an activist in broad daylight last month had witnessed condemnation and street corner protests from a wide section of society. A month later, another incident of violence from a mob burning the car of an activist before the very eyes of the cops. Such criminality, irrespective of the cause for provocation, is deplorable and should not be tolerated. Abuse and violence to settle differences or silence opponents definitely cannot have a place in a civilised society. There is hardly any doubt that life in Goa is no longer safe, whether in the home or on the streets. However, the public outrage witnessed in the earlier incident was not visible in the recent incident, thereby exposing the opportunism for politics and profit in the selective outrage.

Sadly, any public response to such incidents remains nothing more than reactionary, with emotional outbursts serving a predetermined political and business script. Nowadays, it is challenging to distinguish where activism ends and political and business agendas begin. This is what contributes to several Goans remaining either sceptical or cautious to avoid getting sucked into such futile emotional drama. Perhaps, this is an appropriate response amidst a growing trend of politics and activism which often lacks accountability, transparency, public participation and civility in its processes.

There are enough signs that we are a dysfunctional society, and the anxiety of people from the present social, political and economic crisis has become a conducive climate for false prophets and messiahs to prosper. The dark manipulative tactics employed in politics are now being replicated in activism. With the absence of factual information and aggressive social media propaganda in the political entertainment of the pot and kettle calling each other black, who is genuine amidst such games cannot be judged by face value.

Such incidents of abuse and violence should have become occasions for objective introspection by the community, instead of indulging in political blame games and speculation about the masterminds behind such incidents. The selective outrage on single issues, depending on how it suits someone's political and economic interests, is no effective solution for tackling abuse and violence in society. When truth and reason get lost amidst herding, blaming and scapegoating in any crisis, it is far from what could be considered a constructive response, more so in incidents of abuse and violence. Does abuse and violence need to be only about physical harm to a certain class of citizens for it to be considered unacceptable and denounced? Are other prevailing issues of mental violence, cultural violence and structural violence not serious enough to be exposed with candlelight street shows?

Probably, the larger issues of abuse and violence confronting Goa are not populist and profitable enough to be denounced from pulpits and podiums. Should society not be screaming against abuse and violence against citizens due to deadly road conditions and reckless driving leading to disabling injuries and deaths of vulnerable road users? Is the absence of footpaths and pedestrian crossings in residential localities not a serious threat to the lives of citizens that warrants widespread protests? Is the choking of people's lungs with dust and carbon emissions from industries and construction projects not a brutal enough reason for public agitation? Is the abuse and violence, off-camera, in homes and religious institutions, not threatening enough to be condemned? Is the sound terrorism from nightclubs and fireworks during festivities, which mentally and physically harms residents, not violence that needs to be stopped? 

It was the Persian Poet Shams Tabrizi who said, “All of us are selective sinners. We choose the sins we are comfortable with, and judge others that commit the ones we’re not comfortable with.” A look inwards and beyond the populist drama will reveal that the goons and their masterminds are actually by-products of this very economy and decaying society in which mental health and morality have gone for a toss. Goans need to feel ashamed that such an anti-social climate prevails in a State having one of the highest literacy rates in the country and boasting about its unique culture and heritage. Where does all that education, religiosity and unique culture vanish when it comes to civic discipline and the rule of law?

The public outcry against the deteriorating law and order situation suffers from contradictions. Goa has embraced an economy that is historically known to attract anti-social activity and contribute to the perversion of society. With alcohol and drugs flowing in the State, how can Goans expect intoxicated people to behave decently? How can rampant gambling and thriving prostitution manage without antisocial elements and addictions? Goans cannot expect to enjoy the dirty economic profits and wish away the ugly consequences.

The prevailing violence is a much more complex issue than some or the other activist getting mercilessly thrashed, or the rising cases of burglaries and kidnappings. Research shows a strong association of children with histories of abuse being more likely to indulge in crimes as adolescents and young adults. Such individuals get exploited in greedy political and economic systems, with alcohol and drug culture playing a big role in contributing to unhealthy social environments. Visiting prisoners in jails may be fashionable and profitable for the charity industry. What gets conveniently ignored are prevention programs targeting young individuals at risk of getting in conflict with the law due to addictions, broken homes, and hostile family and community environments. What is required is a multi-faceted approach involving early intervention, community-wide programs, and strategic environmental design that targets risk factors and strengthens positive social norms and relationships across different settings. This will be far more effective in ensuring societal peace than reformation in jails, externments, and candlelight heroics.