the goan I network
MARGAO
Goemkars, beware! The next time you flaunt your Goemkarponn to stop any person of outside origin or an agency from descending in your area of interest, don’t be surprised if the opponents counter your regionalistic sentiments with doses of nationalism, going to the extent of reminding they are not Pakistanis.
That’s not all. You may take pride in calling yourself a Niz Goemkar to drive home your view point, but be prepared to face your opponents priding themselves as Indians and not Pakistanis.
Farmers opposing developmental projects in the fields of Madel and Benaulikars waging a battle against migrants in the coastal belt realized this bitter truth when their opponents took pride in being an Indian, even going to the extent of reminding the locals, they are not Pakistanis, apparently sending a message loud and clear that Goa too is a part and parcel of India.
Take the case of the Madel farmers, who confronted the Income Tax officials from proceeding ahead with the demarcation of the acquired property on Tuesday evening, The farmers apparently flaunted their Goemkarponn to ward off the demarcation of the acquired land, on grounds that the land in question once belonged to their ancestors.
As things turned out, a lady IT official made a plea to the local farmers not to harp on Goemkar and outsiders, reminding they are all human beings. Matters came to a head, when the farmers continued their opposition to the demarcation, leaving the IT official to hit back. The lady IT official told the group of farmers in no uncertain terms to keep aside their Goemkar, reminding that she is an Indian and not from Pakistan. For a moment, silence rent the air as the visibly agitated IT official flaunted her Indian card, leaving the locals struggling for a reply, even making the farmers wonder how did Pakistan suddenly crop up into the discussion.
Another case in point is the ongoing battle against migrants in the coastal village. With the locals targeting Vasu, a migrant taxi driver, blaming him for the present movement against the migrants in the village, Vasu has hit back in his own fashion. While talking to a TV Channel a day ago, Vasu claimed that he had settled in Pedda-Benaulkm long ago, and is having his own house and in possession of valid documents. But, that he came out clear that he is not from Pakistan, but from India and is
legally entitled to do business anywhere across the country has only raised eyebrows about his intention in making a reference to Pakistan since his Indian citizenship has never been in dispute. “I am not from Pakistan, but an Indian. Though we are hailing from outside Goa, I am entitled to go anywhere and do business to eke a living,” Vasu told the scribe, apparently trying to convey a message that he is an Indian, at liberty to move anywhere and do business anywhere in the country.
Sources in the know say this is not the first time that regional aspirations have clashed with nationalistic sentiments as locals try to protect their land, culture, identity and demography from being invaded by people from other parts of the country. The Pakistani factor seemed to be the difference then and now.
