At what cost can we be sure about our perspective. In our attempt to understand the world we live, we make sense of what we hear and see. We largely depend on these two senses to give us an understanding of our world. Often we fill in the blanks when knowledge is limited. At other times we decipher only that which is relevant to our understanding. The question arising thus is, ‘What is the truth?’
Gestalt psychology believes that the world is made up of parts and when we have information about only a few details we add up our conclusions. While such inferences might help us with everyday decisions can we use the same logic while deciding on people’s lives?
In order to understand the way we perceive an incidence, we need to look at the larger picture rather than focus on just a few scenes, because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Beautifully summarised by the famous French author, Anaïs Nin, “We do not see the world as it is; we see it as we are.” More importantly we see it as we want to see it. No matter what the investigation might lead us to, if we are convinced of one viewpoint it is very difficult for us to take a second glance.
Fr Bismarque’s death has polarized Goans. On one hand are the strong believers of a murder conspiracy and on the other are those that believe in accidental death due to drowning. It is understandable why there is such angst over this particular death. Fr Bismarque was much loved by all. His passion for Goa was undying. He did not hesitate to go all out in what he believed was true. He loved his land and fought vehemently against those that would do it harm. His activism was not always against others but also towards helping others. He actively mobilised people. He revitalised farming and many other traditional occupations across Goa. Over time, with the nature of his work he also made enemies, people who hated him for his guts, hated him enough for the possibility of a murder. It is thus understandable why Fr Bismarque’s untimely death is perceived as anything but murder.
But can we only depend on such theory for a murder to be established. A murder is not about death alone, neither is it about intentions alone. It is when both death and evidence come together, that a conclusion can be established. If we decide to take a few steps back. Look at the evidence pointing out, devoid of the type of police investigation or forensic sciences. Could this death have been accidental? Can swimmers drown? While every good swimmer is able to make calculated judgments are such accidents unheard of. The most classic example of miscalculated accident is of four times Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis (1988) while miscalculating his dive, hit his head on the floor of the swimming pool almost costing him his life.
The other evidence that does not require police probe or forensic evidence are the two young boys that were with Fr Bismarque. Evidence from the witnesses clearly point out that Fr Bismarque initiated the contact. He went over to speak to the boys and not the other way round. If they were murderers, these boys had to be very clever to be able to operate without a phone or a watch.
There are many such truths about the case, each being overlooked and conveniently distorted but for whose gain. Why hijack the emotions of Fr Bismarque’s family, friends and other Goans? Falling back on evidence that has been obtained from the police probe and the forensic analysis, the question that arises is, why such indifference to the investigations? Do we want to see what we want to see and discard all other data? Or are we giving vent to the other injustice around us.
Forensic details have shown no injury to the body, the viscera does not indicate that there were signs of foreign substances that could have been possibly used for murder. Evidence is crucial to establish murder. How does one manipulate such evidence? How many more postmortems would have to be done to establish the truth. How many more doctors are we going to disbelieve?
The larger picture here points out to two young witnesses, who also are part of this investigation. What about their fate? The irony of this whole polarisation is the destiny of these two boys, the same two boys that Fr. Bismarque had hoped to help. Their story is not being heard. They have been interrogated over and over again, being treated as hardcore criminals.
We want to crucify somebody, anybody, for the untimely death of Fr. Bismarque. One of the boys has special needs and is mentally challenged, the other boy a minor. To put these boys through a lie detector test would be cruel and going against the rules of the Rehabilitation Council of India. But we want justice so we overlook this. The sadder truth is that that these boys too want the test to prove their innocence. What reliability would there be in this testimony that depends on the volatile subconscious. Where have the social activists gone?
Dr Aldina Braganza e Gomes is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and associate professor, HOD, Dept of Psychology Carmel College
