Borkar vows to continue fast until Section 39A is scrapped

Clockwise from top: Protesters, young and old, at Azad Maidan on Monday; heavy police force was deployed to handle the ‘Karo Ya Maro’ protest; RGP MLA Viresh Borkar at the protest site; Police block the road to the residence of TCP Minister Vishwajit

PANAJI
Not agreeing to the Chief Minister's call, RGP MLA Viresh Borkar declared that his fast unto death will continue until Section 39A of the TCP Act is scrapped.
On the other hand, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao accused the State government of "ignoring democratic voices".
Describing the protest as a “karo ya maro (do or die)” battle, Borkar asserted that the ongoing fast would not be withdrawn. “Till such time that 39A is scrapped, the fast unto death will continue. This is a do-or-die battle,” he said.
Reacting sharply to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s remarks that protests must be held within decorum and not outside a minister’s residence, Borkar questioned the government’s stand. “What decorum was maintained when I was pulled out of the TCP Department?” he asked.
Refuting the Chief Minister’s observations, Borkar said he had raised the issue on all possible forums before resorting to the fast. “We agitated against Section 39A on every forum. We opposed the Bill in the Assembly, but it was passed after throwing us out,” he alleged, terming the government’s functioning as “dictatorial.”
Backing the protest, Alemao said the Chief Minister appeared unconcerned about an elected representative being on a fast unto death. “The CM should not lecture us about decorum. In a democracy, the power of the people is supreme. We do not trust this government. We have been fighting against 39A in the Assembly without any success. This government understands only this language,” he said.
Alemao further alleged that no action had been taken against the police officer who allegedly manhandled Borkar during the earlier protest. “This is a peaceful protest, and we are following all decorum. The future course of action will be decided by the people,” he added.