MARGAO
The Citizens For Democracy Goa on Thursday strongly condemned the police action against protesting students, describing the brutality as “reminiscent of the British era'.
Addressing a press conference, Elvis Gomes and Amarnath Gaonkar lashed out at the government and endorsed the growing demand for the resignation of the Education Minister. Melwin Fernandes was also present.
Gomes questioned the treatment meted out to the students, stating: “This country is founded on the Constitution which guarantees the right to peaceful protest as a fundamental right. Why were the students treated this way?”
He recalled that ancient dynasties once came to India to learn, citing the historic example of Nalanda University, and expressed deep anguish over the current state of the education system. Gomes pointed out that 152 cases of paper leaks affecting 7.5 lakh students cannot simply be dismissed. The suicides that followed and the immense stress inflicted on students and their families, he said, amounted to a catastrophe.
Warning of the consequences of continued indifference, Amarnath Goankar stated: “When silent revolutions are made impossible, it can give rise to violent revolutions which is avoidable if the government listens to the voices of the students.”
Citizens for Democracy Goa has called upon the government to immediately address the legitimate grievances of the student community, ensure accountability for the police excesses, and restore faith in the education system
