The stage is set for Christmas festivities, with parties and family events lined up from the evening of December 24. Amid concerns over religious celebrations coming in the way of the sound ban, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral have clarified that the restrictions will not apply to midnight masses. However, the concern is over private celebrations, events and dances, which could overstep time restrictions.
The law is clear that on notified days, including Christmas and its eve, there is a sound ban relaxation up to midnight. That means all parties will have to close shop at the stroke of midnight. On all other days, the amplified sound stops at 10 pm. On Christmas Day, stopping events at midnight will come as a damper since most of these parties pick up steam only after the midnight mass. The question is whether police will clamp down on such Christmas parties and dances which extend beyond midnight or whether they will go soft, considering the festive connotations of these gatherings.
While the ball is in the court of the men in uniform, it is to be seen whether authorities will grant concessions and show flexibility for sound shown prior to the recent High Court rap. In that case, the police will have to consciously walk a very thin and delicate line, at times even mildly deviating from prescribed laws. The question would be on those grossly violating sound norms and causing sound hazards.
The enforcement of sound restrictions has very often earned police a bad name, and they are accused of using the law to arm-twist organisers and extort money. We should not face a scenario where a tighter regime only leads to higher stakes leaving a bigger chaos on the ground. Secondly, the police appear to be geared up for a hectic season, but the question is whether they are equipped to handle the frenzy or have the wherewithal to keep a vigil across the length and breadth of Goa that is in celebration mode.
The unfortunate part is that citizens’ confidence in policing is lost because of the selective nature of enforcement, plus the corruption tag. A wall of distrust has been built because there has been no consistency in action. The police now face an even greater challenge because it is Christmas time, a time when community sentiments are high. The public perception of minorities being targeted could play in the background even as there is no clarity on which way the party season will go.
Christmas is a time to foster peace and goodwill among communities and look forward to a new beginning. It is a festival that brings about community bonding, togetherness, goodwill and harmony. It is here that the enforcement has a job cut out. Let us not stoke fires of rebellion and hatred with the sound law. Let the spirit of Christmas prevail across Goa.
