The vocal protests by people from across the Stateagainst personal hearings of those affected by land acquisition fordouble-tracking sent out a clear message that anything connected to the projecthas to be in the public domain and can't be personal anymore. Hundreds ofpeople, armed with posters and banners gathered to express their opposition tothe project. Leave alone groups of activists; there were people's representatives,including BJP's Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha.
The anger and resolve against the government's move tobulldoze its way with this big-ticket project primarily to facilitatetransportation of larger volumes of coal, is clear as daylight. On the otherside, the government's insistence on proceeding with double-tracking workdespite the prevailing pandemic appears suspicious. At a time when socialdistancing is the norm, and people still advised to stay indoors and exercisecaution, personal hearings are planned despite being fully aware that such amove will pull crowds.
Is this project a priority for Goa in an extreme Covidsituation? If so, can the government explain to the people reasons behind thishurry? Or is the pandemic being used to good effect to push through an agendawhich would have been otherwise tricky in the normal course?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nationhas given a clarion call to the people to be cautious and not allow complacencyto set in. The PM stressed on carelessness that can sabotage progress and howefforts are undertaken on a war footing to save humanity. Strangely, Goa chugsalong a different trajectory.
In Goa, people are forced to come on the streets to fightagainst rampant destruction and environmental damage that is being steadilyinflicted upon their motherland in the guise of infrastructural development.Yes, development has to happen, but it must have people's mandate. We are afree democratic State, not a dictatorial regime where a handful of legislatorstake decisions over-riding interests of the people and label NGOs asanti-development warriors. Panchayats have passed resolutions, locals haverisen in protests, and people have marched out even in grim and fearful Covidconditions to express themselves. Such acts are testimonies of people puttingtheir motherland ahead of their lives.
Postponing the private hearing by a few days is not goingto change equations because double-tracking has already become a mass movement.Those in power will have to win the confidence of the people and show how it'sgoing to be beneficial to the State. While people are at war over suchdevelopment, it's time the BJP government does a reality check within itself.Can each of the BJP legislators independently vouch for the double-tracking? Ifrepresentatives have the spine, let them stand up and be counted for theproject or against it. It's time people lift the veil of secrecy that has beenconveniently worn by a few to protect their political interests. People willfinally stand in judgement over those who are betraying their land for vestedpolitical interests.
