Margo: It was a gathering of believers. And his belief was one – Goa. A massive gathering of common Goans took place at the historic Lohia Maidan to relieve Goa of the pain of destruction felt during the impact of decisions that have humiliated Goa literally and figuratively.
Goans, who gathered in large numbers during the meeting on Saturday, sent a clear message, “Enough is enough” and pledged that they would not tolerate any more injustice and destruction of the state’s environment.
The speakers accused the government of playing ‘psychological games’ with the people of Goa and vowed to make their voices heard where it matters most during the elections.
The citizens appealed to all Goans, including social workers, and NGOs to fight unitedly against land destruction.
Speakers said that Goa is on the verge of crisis and it is important for the people to come together to fight for their land.
Addressing the gathering, environmentalist Rajan Ghate said, “This government is engaged in business at the cost of Goans. Politicians are trying to destroy the Western Ghats. Goa must be preserved for the next generation. We all need to protect the Western Ghats. “This government is seeing nothing but money.”
He further said that he is not an election leader but a generation leader.
“Goa is on the brink,” said Jack Mascarenhas of Goyche Fadal Pilge Khatri. If security is not provided even now, Goans will soon become slaves in Goa. Goans need to come together as a community.”
He said that people want fair and transparent elections and distrust EVMs.
“There needs to be a movement for civil rights. The power of the people is supreme and so we need to move in those directions,” Mascarenhas said.
Saying that people are badly affected due to double tracking (South Western Railway’s line for coal transportation), former BJP MLA Alina Saldanha said, “Goa is very small and hence we have to think twice before bringing big projects. Is required. If our government belongs to the people then why action against the people? Why hurt people?”
Saldanha said, “Dual tracking will cause great destruction.” The second track reaches the gates and doors of people’s homes. The government is not treating the people properly. We don’t know for whom this government is working. We have every right to live a peaceful life. Why can’t the government support the people?
Calling for a larger agitation instead of holding awareness meetings on coal issues, Gencor Polgi, a social activist, said, “The people of Vasco and Mormugao are breathing coal and bad days are about to come.”
Launching a strong attack on the government, another social activist Rama Kankonkar alleged that the BJP government was playing a ‘psychological game’ against the people of Goa.
“The hatred against immigrants is the result of a conspiracy hatched by the government. Keeping this in mind, we can say that in the next Lok Sabha elections, voices will be heard against creating tension between migrants and Goans,” Kankonkar claimed.
He said that he had asked for a notification to be issued on political reservation for the ST community before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, but the government is misleading the people on this issue.
Giving information to the gathering, school headmaster Anant Agni called for maintaining harmony in all situations.
