Mob mentality

If the rift between Goa and Karnataka got wider because of the Mhadei dispute, which has yet to be resolved, things have gotten much worse recently when Kannadigas in Belagavi (formerly Belgaum) started protesting against miscreants in Goa attacking a community of Kannadigas in Usgao, Ponda. Activists in Belagavi have threatened action against Goans visiting the town and the police there are on high alert.

This all began, as in most cases, because of an argument. Now threats are being made against the people of the two states. All this is a perfect example of xenophobia being taken to another level, that and the situation being blown out of proportion. Some time ago, a member of the Kannadiga community in Usgao and a Goan shopkeeper from the area had an argument. Following that, a mob of local Goan men attacked members of the community, including women, the aged and children. Houses were ransacked and vehicles burned. The Kannadigas were abused and asked to go back to Karnataka.

The actions of the mob of Goans cannot be condoned. The fact that the Kannadigas have been members of the local community is Usgao for five decades is not even relevant. We cannot mark our territory and ban others from coming here, setting up shop here and contributing to the land. By that measure, every Goan in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Belagavi, and other parts of India and the world can be subjected to abuse and physical harm based on the fact that they are ‘outsiders’; strangers in a foreign land.

There has already been unrest in Belagavi over the past years with regards to Goa. First the toll for goods vehicles at the border created a furore amongst vegetable vendors and goods transporters from the neighbouring town. The recent dispute over the waters of the Mhadei saw protests in Belagavi. One cannot throw fuel on to the fire by attacking Kannadigas and threatening them with harm if they do not leave.

However, at the end of the day, this was the work of a small group of people who do not represent Goa per se. If this was a movement to rid Goa of Kannadigas, or ‘outsiders’ in general, then a government or a community can take umbrage. But there is no need to turn this into a situation where the people of Goa are in harm’s way because of the actions of a few misguided individuals. The government of Goa and law enforcement needs to investigate these attacks properly and bring the guilty to task. We are part of one country and we need to respect the rights of all Indians, irrespective of where they are from.