The permissiveness of a section of Goans has plumed to the depths of frustration, insensitivity and stupidity. While politicians continue to grapple with their health, a section of the people want them to stand up and fight against all that is thrown at them, despite the grim and defenceless situation they are in.
The Archaeological Survey of India Goa Circle has on Saturday directed Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar to produce a copy of the permission obtained by him for the construction of the compound wall and garden of his new bungalow adjacent to the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa.
A few days back, a complaint was filed with the Goa Lokayukta against him seeking a probe into his assets. Also there are sections which continue to ridicule the power minister with ruthless disdain, days after he was slammed for what was termed as alleged favours to a businessman for shifting of a High Tension power line while keeping Panaji and several other areas in the darkness. Even the family was not spared with a flurry of messages and phone calls literally making their lives a living hell.
There are some who continue to throw scorn and scream at the top of their voices gunning for Madkaikar’s head, despite the fact that the power minister is fighting a huge battle for survival against a brain stroke he suffered a few days back. All those voices against shifting of HT line, his controversial palatial bungalow, his account of assets to the legitimacy of his compound wall will go unheard. Because, days after being severely hit by the brain stroke, Madkaikar continues to languish in the ICU of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital in Mumbai still in coma and still struggling for his life.
The case of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is no different. While he is battling against his pancreatic ailment in New York, some sections have taken the social media route to throw all sorts of derision to attribute his ailment to some of his unfavourable decisions as a chief minister. It’s a melancholy that such farfetched and absurd linkages are drawn connecting Parrikar’s ailment to the decision in 2001 to convert St Francis Xavier’s feast public holiday into a restricted holiday.
What is disturbing is the level of intolerance and insensitivity towards political leaders, especially at these times of distress. Goa is known to the outside world as a land of peace-loving and forgiving people. Our tolerance has spanned across all boundaries and barriers.
At this time, we need to hold on to all differences and join the families of our ailing leaders in prayer and wish them well. Allegations and clarifications can wait. There is no pride in such incongruous and lopsided attempts to humiliate politicos, especially at least in their helpless hour.
