The death of Fr Bismarque Dias came as a shock not only to us but to all Goans here and abroad. A man who we all knew, respected and loved, suddenly no more, still does not seem plausible. Since the November 7, 2015, when the body was recovered, the question that needed to be answered for everybody was, how and why did Fr Bismarque Dias die?
At the onset there were three theories. One that implied suicide, the second an accident and the third, murder. For those who did know Fr Bismarque, it was beyond doubt that this man would never commit suicide. His zest for life was seen in his every action. His nature was such that if he truly was contemplating such a step it would be for a cause and he would make sure the culprits would pay for their crime. More than anything he cared for innocent poor people and fought their rights, so he would have never involved two young boys as witnesses.
At the onset, an accident seemed highly improbable. Two months ago, murder seemed the best possible explanation. The social and print media also reported loop holes in the ongoing investigations. There were many who wanted Fr Bismarque dead. The first autopsy which suggested death due to drowning thus came as a huge disappointment. Definitely some foul play had to be suspected. The kind of antagonism the media portrayed about the investigation it made us all believe in a conspiracy, making the case even more potent for murder.
The long battle for justice began. People came on the streets, family and friends urged for a decent investigation. A second autopsy conducted by four doctors also suggested death due to drowning. How could this be? We had been convinced that this is a murder.
The antagonism of the investigation further sensationalized the news and strengthen the battle between the system and the people of Goa, for justice. With no unexplainable wounds and the observed casualness of the police investigation there had to be a conspiracy by the system to cover up a foul smelling murder. Convinced with these facts the saga continued with forceful provocation for further independent investigations. People came on the streets for the love of Fr Bismarque.
The viscera samples were sent to forensic science laboratory in Hyderabad for analysis with a request for tests of all possible substances (which include poison, drugs) to be done but a month later the reports showed no suspicious material that could indicate foul play. The diatom tests result also showed no possibility of a murder. Even when the last twelve hours of Fr. Bismarque was documented, people refused to believe. Instigated prudently by a social activist who were convinced about their own impending death, like a story of a well scripted detective novel, the case suddenly began to draw much negative attention and nobody wanted to hear about anything except murder.
Personal investigators competed with each other to prove that Fr Bismarque’s death was murder. A so-called ‘concerned Goan’ managed to do what the police and many other people had not done, discover a vest with suspected blood stains on it, near the sluice gate. The vest was also sent for examination at the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad to ascertain whether the stains were of blood and if so, whether they matched with the DNA of Fr. Dias. Thus buying time, prolonging the dilemma even further.
Was this time bought meant for clever agenda of personal propaganda? The fight for justice for Fr. Bismarque has no longer become about his untimely demise nor about the justice for his family. Carefully orchestrated emotionally- high- strung public meetings with clever power points are for what cause? Given the evidence why do some people still insist otherwise? What is the agenda behind these meetings? Was the vest planted and if so why? Who and why somebody is trying to hijack the emotions of his family, friends and other concerned citizens. Now the stains on the vest are not blood but they still want to insist on a DNA test.
Enough is enough. In the name of a much-loved Goan priest who stood for integrity, dare and truth, to be become the poster picture of political aspirants is highly despicable. Instead of helping the family come to terms with this untimely demise why are we suggesting otherwise. Now it’s more than two months, sixty six days to be precise. Yet Fr Bismarque’s body lies within the cold containers of the GMC morgue. We are trying to prove the inevitable murder, a conspiracy by the entire system. Even with the truth staring in our face that Fr Bismarque’s death was due to drowning, why then should his body lie in a cold freezer? Why is it that we are not giving this priest his rightly dues of a decent funeral?
How else can one say this but straight forward? Let’s give Fr Bismarque a decent funeral. The saga has gone on for too long. Too much has been said, too much has been done. Now we need to stop. Fr Bismarque needs a decent funeral. His family needs closure. The boys need normalcy.
Dr Aldina Braganza e Gomes is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and associate professor, HOD, Dept of Psychology Carmel College
