"Besanv ghal saiba sharar Goyenchea, samballun sodankal gopant tujea". The words from a Konkani devotional hymn titled 'Sam Francis Xaviera' touches the soul of every Goan, and are weaved so beautifully that they establish a unique connect across communities and people of all religious faiths. It's a prayer to the Saint to hold Goa in His embrace and protect it against all adversities. The feast of St Francis Xavier showcases the multi-religious fabric and oneness of Goa with the devotion across all faiths. It's about 'one saint, one people, and one State'.
On Thursday, Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao's call to people was about basic human rights, to speak up against rampant destruction of the environment, and not to remain mute bystanders. The Archbishop highlighted the responsibility of people to protect Goa's endangered landscape and to safeguard the interest of the poor. He called upon people to raise their prophetic voice towards this cause. The message is loud and clear and will give a shot in the arm to those who are at the forefront of this people's movement, especially a section of priests who have actively walked together with people.
However, the question is whether the Archbishop's message will offer a handle to proponents to communalize the issue and divide people. Goa is already on the boil with protests happening across the length and breadth of the State. People have shown remarkable unity cutting across all obstacles and boundaries. The agitation has gained traction across religious sections and communities with political parties, activists, NGOs and individuals all standing together to protect Goa's environment and its heritage. The magnitude of this rebellion is unprecedented, not witnessed since Liberation. Against this backdrop, there have been consistent attempts to puncture the movement by giving it a communal flavour. Opportunistic leaders could be at it once again, this time using the Archbishop's message to carve out a communal crevice.
If we may recall, in a veiled attempt to target minorities, Goans settled in Europe, Non-Resident Goans and sailors who extended unflinching support to the cause of Goa's environment were being recently slammed as 'outsiders' trying to divide Goa. The communal overtones were visible and appeared to be a divisionary strategy deployed to deflate the momentum and seize the advantage.
On the feast of Goycho Saib, the Archbishop's message comes as a wake-up call to those silently enduring the pain of Goa's destruction, to those who have failed in the fundamental duty of protecting their motherland, to those who remained muted to rampant destruction that is cast on the State, and to those who have lost direction. It's a message to stand up, raise your voice and embrace motherland Goa.
