PANAJI
Aam Aadmi Party on Friday accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of stealing the freedom people of Goa had so valiantly fought for and said prohibiting agitations or demonstrations before the Azad Maidan, in Panaji is akin to taking away the freedom of people as Azad means being free.
AAP Goa convener Rahul Mhambre pointed out that the ground in central Panaji came to be called Azad Maidan because that was where Goans gathered to protest against the Portuguese rule and get Goa liberated and even had a celebration there after the liberation.
“By prohibiting protests or agitations at the ground that is not only symbolic but characteristic of the historic battle for liberation from the Portuguese rule, Chief Minister Pamod Sawant is going back to regime of Salazar which was thrown out even in then Portugal,” said Rahul.
He said the prohibition comes in the wake of growing protests and agitations by the people of Goa against the despotic BJP rule in Goa and said it was unfortunate that the chief minister had to resort to such draconian tactics to suppress the voice of the people.
“It would be wiser for the chief minister to listen to the voice or the people instead of seeking to suppress it as he is doing,” said Rahul while avowing that AAP will not tolerate such anti people decisions of the BJP government.
