My first big disappointment with Chief Minister Manohar
Parrikar came about this week when he declared that the case for special status
for Goa was not his immediate priority, and that he would take it up over a
period of time. Now this is one issue over which the people of Goa are not
divided. One issue which has been pending for too long a time. One issue for
which the time has come. Now.
Now or never. We have waited for fifty long years. In the
past we had to fight over divisive issues and win bitter victories. Victories
bring euphoria and happiness, but also bitterness, especially when the process
results in wounds and divisions. This is
one issue over which there are no divisions and there will be no wounds. The
only wound that we could have may be caused by delay, for justice delayed can
be justice denied. And it is a case of justice having been denied for too long.
We were liberated from the Portuguese fourteen years after the rest of India
had won independence. We missed having our representatives in the Constituent
Assembly that drafted India’s Constitution. We missed two general elections to
India’s Parliament. We missed two
five-year plans, and development that would come from them. And after Goa was liberated at last in
December 1961, we missed a decade fighting sad issues like wanting to merge Goa
in Maharashtra.
As French writer Victor Hugo wrote, nothing can stop an idea
whose time has come.
Mr. Chief Minister, Sir, the time for special status for Goa
has come. And history has placed the leadership on your broad shoulders at this
point of time that you may lead Goa to obtain the special status due to her in
the Republic of India.
Why the urgency? There are at least two important reasons.
First, the bill to amend article 371 of the Constitution of
India will come up in Parliament anytime now. This bill proposes to give
special status to certain regions and states for various reasons. The case of
Goa has to be included so that the land, language and culture of our small
state can be given proper protection, and our State Assembly given powers to
enact special legislations to protect these. It is land, language and culture
that give us our identity. And the identity of each region and state adds to
the mosaic of a colorful India.
Second, it is a well known fact that our small state is
facing terrible pressures especially regarding land. Our language Konkani needs
careful attention, more so in view of many conflicts which are divisive. Our
culture has to be preserved in the face of cultural invasions in the tourist
belt. But the protection of land is the topmost priority. These matters can’t
be left for the future or to be settled over a period of time. If our government
does not act firmly now, then it may be too late. There may be no land to
protect. And the Konkani speaking people may become a minority in their own
land. And there may be no identity to preserve.
Therefore I repeat that our present Chief Minister Manohar
Parrikar must lead the state with a vociferous demand for special status. Our
fifty years of liberation and twenty-five years of statehood must be capped
with the crown of a special status. We do not need another mass agitation for
this. All political parties are willing to accompany the CM if and when he
decides to lead a delegation to Delhi. And the CM had indicated in the House on
7th August that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister.
What made him go in the slow mode now? Shantaram Naik, our Rajya Sabha Member, has volunteered
to do whatever he can. I don’t think political affiliations and considerations
should matter in this case. It is a case for Goa and for all the people of Goa,
whether speaking Konkani or any other language; whether Hindus, Christians,
Muslims, any other religion, atheists, or agnostics; whether industrialists,
businessmen, professionals, retired, at home, or in service; whether Congress,
BJP, MGP, UGDP, GVP, or Communist. There are times when we must set all differences
aside and only sing one song, the song of Goa. That time is now.
The people of Goa have elected all big national parties at
one time or the other. This time it may be BJP. It was the Congress for almost
three decades. And before that it was the regional MGP. All have drunk from the
wellsprings of Goa. Will it be asking too much to sink differences on this one
issue? We now have the BJP ruling and the Congress in opposition in Goa. And
Congress led UPA ruling and BJP in the opposition at the centre. Reverse roles
otherwise, but could be complementary in seeking special status for Goa. Will
the Congressmen in Goa persuade their High Command and the BJP their central
leadership in Delhi?
I began by expressing my disappointment with the CM. I hope
and pray that disappointment may not turn in to disillusionment.
Published in The Navhind Times, Panorama 26.08.2012
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