Maximum Opportunism, Minimum Goykarponn -Soter

 Lead Article published in oHeraldo, November 27, 2023

Goa’s democracy is now reduced to ‘a government of money bags, by money bags and for money bags’. Those chants of ‘Save Goa’ are hollow, a Dil’liwallah will be preferred over a fellow Goan when it comes to the sale of private lands, all for those few extra pieces of silver

It’s very common in social conversations around politics to encounter the question, “why do people not use their common sense when voting?” Others may butt in and mockingly ask, “What is it?” And this is exactly where one could land up going round in circles in the denial game of a dysfunctional society, because common sense is considered subjective. What appears a sensible choice for one could appear insensible for the other. Common sense may be rubbished as a perspective shaped by an individual’s perceptions, gathered from a combination of experiences, beliefs, cultural norms, social interactions and exposure to various situations. And therefore, no two individuals may have had the same experience of reality, particularly when discussing politics.

Without getting into the subjectivity or objectivity debate around common sense, what is simply implied by the common man’s use of this term in relation to politics is, ‘the ability of a citizen to make a sound and practical judgment, which is independent from sophistication and specialised knowledge, when assessing their political situations and making choices. In other words, it is the basic ability of a citizen to weigh the potential risks and benefits of each decision, allowing him/her to make sound judgments that lead to better political outcomes. This is where the two important abilities for observation and critical thinking, among others, play a very important role.

Goykarponn was about such common sense, that experiential comprehension of situations from day to day living passed on down the centuries, until bookish knowledge and a false sense of entitlement from academic degrees blurred the reality. What we have today is more of a mind disconnected from the soul. Even human beings are now seen for nothing more than their human capital value. Now goykarponn is just a brand name to arouse and exploit those nostalgic emotions about the past for profits of a predatory and perverted modern economy.

Amidst this goykarponn dysfunction, truth and reason have lost out to populism and jingoism. Common sense is reduced to nonsense. The ability of citizens to observe and think critically has been systematically disabled by the opportunistic market and political forces, not to absolve the role of religious institutions which are also increasingly being contaminated with corporate business and marketing tactics. In such a chaotic climate, the plight of thinking and reasoning persons is summed up in an anonymous quote which reads: “Common sense is not a gift; it’s a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn’t have it.”

Goans now stare at what appears to be lawlessness with crimes and illegalities on the rise, even to the extent of public supporting governments to legalise what is criminal and illegal. Goa’s democracy is now reduced to ‘a government of money bags, by money bags and for money bags’. Those chants of ‘Save Goa’ are hollow, a Dil’liwallah will be preferred over a fellow Goan when it comes to the sale of private lands, all for those few extra pieces of silver. For those who can read the signs of these times there is hardly any doubt that the society is on a downward slope, but many citizens seem unable, or at least pretend, not to see the slide and stop it. Citizens continue to wallow in a denial which downplays the social, political and economic crisis.

A dysfunctional system does not thrive in a vacuum; it requires a triangle consisting of destructive leaders, susceptible followers and conducive environments. Corrupt politicians cannot have their way without compromised pillars of democracy and double faced citizens. This is exactly where Goans have repeatedly fallen for fantasies of change, development and progress spun by professionals and technocrats hired for marketing politicians. As long as there are people willing to play ball in a corrupt political system, the noises denouncing corruption and appeals for changing politicians are a farce. Protests appear more about one-off seasonal choreographed events for photo ops and self-branding and marketing of some individuals, but devoid of logical, transparent, consistent and community centric processes for change.

We are a crippled society, ridden with ethical confusion and a growing distrust due to the lack of accountability and transparency in community leadership. The people are instigated to attack weak targets like the Village Panchayats and selected projects, while the State laws which promote dirty real estate are kept intact. If loop holes in the laws are plugged, where will be the scope for the growing litigation and extortion industry?

A social crisis is always beneficial for politics, religion and industry. It’s all a vicious cycle of manipulating, exploiting and controlling the poor, jobless, homeless, ignorant and voiceless. As the French-born American diarist and novelist Anais Nin had said, “When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons. We cease to grow.” Politicians, social activists and religious leaders remain vocal on the constitutional right to freedom of religion and speech, but when have we last heard any emphasis on the fundamental duty of citizens to develop a scientific temper and the spirit of inquiry and reform?

Goans need to rise above their emotions, devotions and intoxications to comprehend their alarming reality. A culture of introspection and self-critiquing by citizens is necessary if this political malaise is to be understood and treated. If Goans intend to overturn this corrupt political apple cart, people’s collectives for critical thinking, objective analysis and effective action need to emerge at the ‘vaddo’ (ward) levels. What is needed is the traditional ‘ganvponn’, free from political party, politician or clergy control.

(The writer was a Counsellor at a Drug Prevention and De-addiction Centre in Goa)

https://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/Opinions/Maximum-Opportunism-Minimum-Goykarponn/214218