The November 17 advisory issued by the Goa Police created a flutter as all devotees paying obeisance to St Francis Xavier were required to carry a valid Identity Card or any proof of identification while seeking access into the Churches from the novenas beginning from November 25 till the feast on December 4. The advisory also stated that baggage, handbags or any luggage will not be allowed inside the premises.
There were two points in the advisory which were being fiercely contested across social media platforms. Citizens slammed the exhaustive scanning process saying that it would hinder movement and inconvenience people. Another critique was over not allowing bags and accessories, a move that was expected to put families with infants, children and the sick in a spot of bother. And yes, bagless entry is not only impractical, but could be also highly inconvenient to visitors.
On Thursday, however, when the Police were asked to throw light on the new protocol, better sense prevailed and it was told that there would be random checks for identity (a soft copy of identity proof is permitted) and handbags would be scanned through the X-ray machines installed at the site before being permitted to be taken inside.
To tighten the security, elaborate arrangements have been made with 250 armed staff taking positions at various places and working in shifts, there will be special anti-terrorist squad commandos, men in khaki and police in civil clothes manning key points and drones will be hovering in the air doing aerial surveillance.
Some sections of people may find this rather strange, and Goa may be witnessing such tight security protocol at a religious service for the first time. Some quarters have slammed the move and called it a mischievous to harass the minority community, while some are calling it a deliberate attempt to discourage other communities.
If we look back at the exposition and the feast of St Francis Xavier by around 2-3 decades, such security would appear out of place because the State then enjoyed distinctive peace and harmony, a factor that defined Goa. Goa as a State has moved on from that high pedestal, and along with other States, we have unease, communal tensions, gun culture, and crimes have become a matter of routine. The scope of uncertainty has expanded exponentially. Those trying to incite hate by questioning anything and everything have no clue about terrorism and the trail of destruction it leaves behind.
Goa may not have experienced blasts like those in other States, but we cannot be in a comfort zone, not at a time when we are on a threshold of another Exposition. The crowds that come to Old Goa are a mixture of Goan, desi and overseas tourists, and the count is swelling every year.
The police are entrusted with the job of securing the area, and they must be given a free hand to do so. The security advisory was discussed with the rector, and not imposed, as made out to be. We, as Goans, cannot find discomfort in efforts to secure lives and protect the relics of St Francis Xavier. On the contrary, we should be thankful.
The people are driven by the belief that Goemcho Saib will protect Goa and Goans, but that does not mean we leave the floodgates open for 'danger' to sneak in. An attack on the heritage site that houses the relics will be catastrophic for not only Goa but for the millions of people around the world who are drawn to the saint by sheer faith.
Those who are shouting from rooftops calling it an attempt to suppress minorities, must stop this hate-mongering, and look at the larger picture. It is better to be safe than sorry.
