By Soter D'Souza
Public unrest seems to be building up in Goa with almost every corner embroiled in some controversy or the other. With every passing day goans are fast realising that they are on the brink of being outnumbered by migrants or being walloped by activities like mining, SEZs, IT Parks, Food Parks, damming, and so on. Even the MLA of Taleigao has realised, whether genuinely or not, that the IT Habitat at Dona Paula promoted by the IT Minister Mr. Dayanand Narvekar is nothing but a real estate scam. This only vindicates the stand taken by several Dona Paula, Socorro and Assagao residents along with other social action groups to oppose Mr. Narvekar's ambitious IT real-estate dream. The social and political space enjoyed by the local people is fast disappearing with migrants throwing their weight around and replacing the susegad culture of Goa with a Delhi or U.P. type culture. Each and every policy and project promoted by the Goa government is viewed with suspicion and pessimism as it (the government) has lost credibility amongst the 'aam admi'. The Goa government appears to be operating almost in a fashion where the rule of law means nothing to it. The growing frustration against government policy and the anger building up over illegal and oppressive policies is now getting displace on any organ related to the government. The recent mob attack on the police that tried to prevent a bull fight in Colva is not common in Goan culture and it even caught the law enforcing machinery by surprise. The government machinery ignores large-scale illegal construction and underworld operations that are flourishing, but it employs ample of man-power and technology to keep an eye on petty legal violations of the 'aam admi'.
While the Goan people have been opposing the destructive policies and other negative development in the State, what is absent is a united Goan movement that will genuinely consolidate the anger and frustration of the people into achieving long-term solutions rather than divided and patch-work responses. For instance, there was hue and cry over the Regional Plan 2011 that ultimately boomeranged into a large-scale agitation leading to its revocation. But, thereafter the responses of the anti-RP 2011 forces have been rather contradictory and devoid of a rational approach. While the government has appointed a Task-Force to advise it on planning aspects for the RP 2021, those very anti-RP 2011 forces are now popularising the Out Line Development Plans (ODP) which are put out by the PDAs for objections. These ODPs are but off-shoots of the very planning laws that gave birth to the RP-2011 and while the Task Force is studying the planning aspects it is beyond reason that the process of formulating ODPs are accepted as normal without any opposition. That the anti-RP 2011 forces have stopped short of demanding a total freeze on all planning processes till the TF gives its recommendations is best known to them alone, more so when these protagonists have themselves been advocating the inclusion of the provisions of 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments in the planning process.Have the planning laws been amended to adhere to the Constitutional requirements?
While the politicians have been demonized and treated a untouchables by some citizens who flash the 'apolitical' label, though not overtly members of any political party or politician coterie, some of them are very much conspirators in the destruction of Goa. There are Goans who prefer to sell or broker deals for land and built-up spaces to the non-Goans instead of locals because of the huge profits and commission percentages involved. Some other undertake contracts for illegal hill-cutting, deforestation and land-fillings. There are some professionals who make their buck by taking advantage of loop-holes in the existing laws.
They are regarded in high esteem and respect within religious and social circles. Their ill-gotten wealth is also welcomed and accepted as donation to Save Goa, and they are conveniently accommodated as being 'apolitical'. This is the extent of hypocrisy that confronts people's movements in Goa due to which a lasting and sustainable mass-movement does not materialise. These unscrupulous apolitical elements are permitted to infiltrate people's movements. They in turn dictate affairs as to when to hype up issues or freeze them depending on their economic interests or the prospects of their politicians to whom they covertly owe their allegiance. It is this lack of discernment, vision and strategy of sincere and well-meaning activists after being over enthused with this notion of being 'apolitical' that has prevented the forging of a mass-scale alliance to 'Save Goa'. This over protective approach has prevented the emergence of an all-embracing yet pro-people movement. It has almost become a fashion to treat politicians as untouchables and solely hold them responsible for the political mess in Goa. If politicians are responsible for the entire nuisance, then what is the role of the 'aam admi' in this democracy? Is it not the case that literate citizens who otherwise pretend to be apolitical and lead or get themselves appointed on committees and forums of religious or secular institutions - not entirely the migrants and poor as often blamed - who have no qualms in helping the corrupt and destructive politicians to get re-elected time and again to government?
After all, the support to these politicians often comes from the very apolitical 'aam admi' who marches to Azad maidan to oppose the RP 2011. Considering the enormity of the problems like SEZs, IT Parks, Food parks, mining, damming and other threatening developments that face Goa, there needs to be an all-inclusive approach to unify the forces. Politicians and political parties will always attempt to exploit situations for attaining power they will also carry on the faulty policies their predecessors just like the UPA which is following in the footsteps of the NDA. But it is always the case that today's rulers will be tomorrow's opposition.
If care is taken to ensure sufficient representation to genuine, sincere, committed, stable but prudent apolitical citizens within the control panels of an all-inclusive movement, it should suffice to neutralise the opportunistic politicians within it. And therefore, the age old strategy of using the enemy's enemy as a friend could be productively used by the common man in forging the desperately needed and lasting people's alliance to protect the all-round interest of the Goan people.
These views could be dismissed as being unrealistic but unfortunately every revolution was born from a dream. We need to break free from the 'apolitcal' hysteria that has currently enveloped us and at least attempt to cobble up a lasting and unified socio-political force for protecting Goan rights and its environment.
This article was published under Editorial in oHeraldo on 03/12/2007
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