PANAJI
Cautioning the Catholic community to be mindful to the possibility of communal and fascist forces camouflaging behind labels of political alternatives, the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has advised people not to be “manipulated by political experiments, electoral adventurism and deceptive propaganda.”
In a detailed and strongly-worded Assembly Election Advisory issued by CSJP and released by its Executive Secretary Fr Savio Fernandes on Saturday ahead of the February 14 elections, the CSJP “ the social work wing of the Archdiocese of Goa “ also deplored the frequent misuse of religion for political purposes and floating of fancy financial schemes.
Appealing to the Catholic community to “certainly vote, however, after prayerful discernment,” the CSJP began by stating that elections are a two-way responsibility, both of the electorate as well as of the candidates.
“We should elect the right people, rather than electing the wrong people and blaming them. In our first few assemblies, we elected respectable persons who enjoyed high credibility. Nowadays, we want to elect people who are at our back and call, to serve our purposes, even if they are illegal,” stated the CJSP.
DEFECTIONS, DESERTIONS
Turning its attention to defections and desertions in the State, the CSJP said lack of ethics and total disregard for people’s mandate is at the core of defections and other political immorality.
“Goa has gained notoriety in the past as well as today for record number of defections and desertions driven by selfish considerations. Though some defections were much publicised; the fact is that, there have been defections and desertions all across the political spectrum.”
“Let us be honest: we too have to share the blame for the same, as we have failed to confront those concerned, giving the impression that their actions are justified.”
“In fact, we ourselves have tried to justify such acts on the pretext of development and even glorifying persons concerned as being the ones who help us in our needs,” stated the CSJP.
“We are promised that defections will be prevented. In the absence of better legislation, the only law against the evil of defection is in the Constitution (Schedule X); private affidavits cannot prevent the same and would be unenforceable,” the CSJP added.
DIVISIONS, DEALS
The CSJP observed that in the State, there is a grip by certain individuals over voters, which has assumed demonic proportions.
“On our part, we need to look not only at the candidate but also at her/his party. Money and freebies are distributed and unfortunately many people accept them. These offer no solution for unemployment, for escalating prices and homelessness.”
“Many candidates are propped up to divide votes on sectarian considerations. There is a system of divide and rule working in our midst,” stated the CJSP.
The CSJP claimed there are grave local issues concerning degradation of environment which have to be addressed by appropriate legislation.
“Evasion of public scrutiny by manipulation of Major Ports Act, non-implementation of the 73rd and 74th Amendments, dilution of Environment Protection Act and so on, are matters of great concern affecting the livelihood of Goans.”
“There is frequent misuse of religion for political purposes through much publicised blessing ceremonials and offers of free pilgrimages. Appealing to people to take money but to vote for oneself is blatantly improper and illegal.”
“Floating of fancy financial schemes which cannot be honoured is highly deplorable, more so, when the State itself is in debt. Projecting electoral faces on the basis of caste and community is against the letter and spirit of our Constitution,” the CSJP added.
POLITICAL CHOICES
Stating that people have to consider the situation in which they are and respond appropriately, the CSJP stated that the “peculiarity this time is that there are many choices; parties with national ambitions are here to increase their vote percentages, so as to gain national recognition, even by recklessly splitting secular votes.”
“We should be mindful of the possibility of communal and fascist forces camouflaging behind the labels of political alternatives. Let us not be manipulated by political experiments, electoral adventurism and deceptive propaganda.”
