Hitting out at Kannada Sahitya Parishad president Siddhanna Meti for claiming that the Kannadiga community has been an integral part of Goa’s social fabric, former Sancoale Sarpanch Ramakant Borker dared Meti to raise the Mhadei issue with Karnataka.
Borker on Tuesday also described the Karnataka Rajotsav as an “election utsav” and a political gimmick in Sancoale.
“While anyone is free to hold such programmes or contest elections, leaders representing the Kannada community in Goa must also take a stand on issues affecting the State’s interests,” said Borker, while speaking to reporters.
“Meti has been vocal about the growing influence of Kannadigas in Goa’s constituencies. If he believes there is a strong Kannadiga presence here, then he must use that strength to demand justice for Goa on the Mhadei issue.”
Borker challenged Meti to lead a morcha comprising all Kannadigas in Goa to the State boundary and demand that the Karnataka Government release the Mhadei water.
“The Mhadei River is not just Goa’s lifeline ” it also supports many Kannadigas who live and work here. If Meti truly represents their interests, he should raise his voice before his own state government in Karnataka, instead of holding celebrations in Goa,” Borker remarked.
Borker further said that the Kannada Sahitya Parishad should focus on fostering harmony and contributing to Goa’s development, rather than stirring linguistic divisions.
“Goa has always welcomed people from different states. But those who come here must stand with Goans when it comes to protecting Goa’s identity, culture and natural resources,” he added.
Earlier while speaking during the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations in Sancoale on Monday evening, Meti had condemned the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) for its “anti-migrant and divisive” stance, urging the party to stop addressing Kannadigas in Goa as “Ghanti”.
Stating that the Kannadiga community has been an integral part of Goa’s social fabric and has contributed to its progress for decades, Meti had highlighted the electoral strength of the Kannadiga community in Goa and said every constituency in Goa has around 5,000 voters from their community.
