Activists Ajay Prabhugaonkar, Swapnesh Sherlekar and several villagers travelled to New Delhi after announcing that the agitation would be escalated to Panaji and the national capital if the Goa government failed to respond.
Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, Prabhugaonkar said the agitation had reached a decisive stage. "We had resolved that if our demands were not met by the 100th day, we would protest in Panaji and Delhi. Today we are at Jantar Mantar, where a site has been allotted to us. We once again appeal to the government to protect Goa and Goan identity and respond to the concerns of people who have been protesting for the last 100 days," he said.
Accusing the government of refusing to engage with the protesters, Prabhugaonkar said its continued silence had left villagers with no option but to take the agitation to Delhi. "There has been no dialogue and no indication that our demands will be accepted. We have come here to register our protest against this approach," he added.
Sherlekar appealed to Goans to stand in solidarity with the movement. "We urge all Goans to join us and participate in discussions on how this battle should be taken forward," he said.
The protesters reiterated their opposition to the proposed 5.74 lakh sq mts housing project by the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), alleging it was being imposed on villagers and would adversely affect their land and livelihoods.
They also alleged that repeated representations to MLAs and the Chief Minister had gone unanswered.
"Even after 100 days, we have not received justice. Our concerns have been ignored at every step, which is why we have brought our agitation to Delhi. We will continue this movement until the proposed project is stopped," the protesters said.
The agitation received support from the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, with Working President Sunil Kawthankar joining the demonstrators at Jantar Mantar.
Extending support on behalf of the Congress party and South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, Kawthankar reiterated the party's opposition to projects lacking the consent of local communities.
"The people protesting today at Jantar Mantar have the full support of the Congress party and Captain Viriato. The Congress has always maintained that any project or law opposed by the people of Goa should be withdrawn," he said.
Warning of political repercussions, Kawthankar said, "Goa was where the BJP's success story began in 2014. If the government continues to ignore the voice of the people, this movement could mark the beginning of the BJP's decline not only in Goa but across the country."
