The opening day of Goa’s Winter Legislative Assembly session was marked by high political rhetoric with Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s nearly two-hour address dwelling on the government’s achievements, policies, and future plans. However, the speech conspicuously fell short of addressing two incidents that left deep scars on the minds of Goans — the ghastly Birch nightclub fire at Arpora that claimed 25 lives and the Shirgao Jatra stampede that resulted in seven deaths. Despite a continuous chorus and sloganeering from the Opposition, led by Yuri Alemao, demanding that the governor make a mention about the Birch fire, the speech continued unabated, with portions that drowned in the din.
The one-minute silence as a mark of respect to those who have lost their lives may have come out of the day’s agenda, but it highlights a callous indifference and failure of moral leadership. We agree, as the head of the State, the governor only reads the “visionary document of the government”, and cannot modify or use his own views in the narrative. That being said, governors can advise the government on issues as per the discretionary powers entrusted to them under the Constitution. They may not be responsible for the content read out, but a failure to impress upon the government on crucial subjects exposes an inherent weakness.
Like any other governor’s speech, this one too boasted about development milestones, ambitious schemes, and statistical assurances. These speeches are supposed to do just that — showcase and put on record achievements. Governments tend to avoid unpleasant issues and consciously exclude them from the narrative or records of the Assembly. The speech actually sets a feel-good tone.
What is baffling is the fact that the government could have listed out the steps taken — from inquiries, dismissal and suspension of officials, and course-corrective measures. The stampede saw officers being shunted; that accountability is still not fixed is a different story. The government machinery eventually did act by sealing a few clubs, initiating a slew of measures, and tightening systems, although none of these seemed convincing. The question is, why skip it altogether? Moreover, making a fleeting mention and tagging it to the routine toll of road accidents only meant that those tragedies were being treated in the most casual manner without any empathy.
Today’s Assembly developments were a classic case of how political narratives often glamourise progress and statistics while sidestepping uncomfortable truths. The compassion that was needed, leave aside the token one-minute silence, was missing. It is heartening that the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday, while hearing a public interest litigation on the Birch fire tragedy, made it clear that the incident would not be treated lightly and that it would examine the matter in depth to ensure what is in the best interest of Goa. The Bench observed that the ecosystem enabling illegality must be dismantled. We found this as a worthy mention here because, while the court is seized of the matter, the government thought it wise not to comment.
The government missed a vital opportunity to explain itself and try to heal the scars that the two tragedies left behind. Those in power must understand that true progress encompasses moral responsibility of safeguarding lives and speaking for the citizenry. There is no denying that the State has made developmental progress, but the question is whether it is truly inclusive and rooted in values of compassion and justice. Is safeguarding lives not a priority? If yes, why the silence?
