A discussion on Manipur violence was disallowed in the Legislative Assembly by Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar after twice assuring the Opposition earlier in the day and after disallowing a resolution moved by AAP MLA Cruz Silva on Monday. The Speaker had given an assurance that he would decide on the Manipur resolution on Friday when private member resolutions are moved. The Speaker, however, disallowed discussion on Friday, citing it as an attempt to instigate communities in peaceful Goa.
Surprisingly, the Opposition members appeared split over the issue, with the vocal Goa Forward legislator Vijai Sardesai, who was at the forefront of the Monday protest, not aligning himself with the ‘black dress code’ of the Opposition and abstaining from the protest.
The question, however, is whether discussion on Manipur on the floor of the House was critical to Goa or whether it would foster communal discord. Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kukis communities since May and has left nearly 200 people dead and hundreds injured till now. The violence rages despite the Supreme Court’s intervention. The top court has called it a complete breakdown of the law and order situation and offences against women as “horrendous” and worse than the horrific Nirbhaya gang rape in Delhi.
Goa, which is known for its communal harmony, has lately seen simmering tension on several occasions. Whatever the political compulsions, it would make no sense to stir an issue with such communal undertones. On the contrary, it would do more harm than good for Goa and its people.
The fear of stoking communal tension may have been effectively used as a shield by the government to protect its political interests. However, it still works in Goa’s favour because of the sensitivity of the issue and the tension that prevails. Yes, Manipur violence is a humane issue that has triggered outrage among vast sections. But is this the time for Goa to open up a majority versus minorities discussion?
On the flip side, the Opposition’s effort appeared suspect. Though divided on Friday, they have not shown such resolve on any other issue directly relating to Goa during this session, whether it is atrocities against women or injustices against ordinary citizens. So, the question is, what was the Opposition trying to achieve by raking up the Manipur discourse?
Interestingly, in its latest pastoral bulletin of the Church, an article has raised fears that “Goa is expected to see the next holocaust after Manipur”. It dwells on the plight of Goa and the need to reflect. It speaks of shallow politics and politics of opportunism and money-making, and it talks about empty egos and the need to foster unity.
The seeds of hate have grown into giant toxic weeds in Manipur, and the situation appears irredeemable from here. However, Goa stands at crossroads, and amplifying Manipur and superimposing it on our State is far-fetched. Whether political or religious, leaders across the spectrum need to speak the language of healing and compassion rather than trying to stoke communal discord and hatred through politically-inclined discourses. It’s time to reflect and move on.
