Nationalism cries
Refusal to shout 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' led to the suspension of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA Waris Yusuf Pathan from Maharashtra Assembly. The real test for the "Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogan should be in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Will the BJP force its PDP alliance members to chant the slogan? If they do not will they be suspended? Having said that, I would prefer to chant “I love my India”. In doing so I assert that India belongs to me and that no one can tell me “go to Pakistan” which will be the case even if we chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. It has to be noted that this slogan issue has been pushed by the remote control from Nagpur who never took part in freeing “Bharat Mata” from British rule.
D C Dias, Taleigao
Cruel act
A group of BJP protestors, led by their MLA, is reported to have attacked a police team near the State assembly building. The BJP MLA, for reasons best known to him, rained severe blows on the legs of a police horse with a wooden rod. Being unable to bear the brunt anymore, the bleeding horse collapsed on the ground with a broken leg and writhed in pain, unable to move. The vets who performed a four hour-long surgery on the animal are hoping they will not have to amputate his leg to give him a pain free life. Either way the glorious career of the stately horse has come to a sad end.
There are many cases of MPs and MLAs who run roughshod and indulge in acts unbecoming of elected representatives. Such persons should be named, shamed and given exemplary punishment since they are not fit to be called the leaders and representatives of the people.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Why the hike?
The budget presented by the CM for the financial year 2016/17 saying it is a common man's budget does not hold water. Increasing the VAT on petrol from 15 percent to 22 percent will hurt the common man more than anybody else. The CM should realize that owning a two or a four wheeler is no longer a luxury but a necessity with the dismal state of the state's public transport system, a large percentage of the state's households either own a two or a four wheeler, mostly bought by obtaining bank loans, and this hike will affect them directly.
Lucas D’Souza, Verna
Domestic violence
The news that cases of domestic violence has increased in recent times is shocking. Even in this modern world we have wives being beaten? Granted that there is an increase in stress levels and that many take to drinking extra in the evenings. But to take it out on innocent women instead of finding other ways to take out your anger or frustration is cruel. This could also be a case of more women having the guts to come out and report these evil deeds. Perhaps this number was high all along. But no matter what, these domestic violence cases must be dealt with strictly and the men punished.
Kalpana Raikar, Porvorim
