MAPUSA
The latest political storm in Goa’s already charged atmosphere revolves around the statement of social activist Rama Kankonkar, who has now sensationally named Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in connection with his assault.
What might have otherwise remained a local law-and-order issue has suddenly turned into a political controversy – one that Khaunte said reeks of “a motivated narrative.”
The minister suggested that he sees a deeper design in the way events have unfolded since the assault.
“When the assault happened, a complaint was filed and within 24 hours, all the accused were arrested. The police acted swiftly,” Khaunte said, pointing out that the system had functioned efficiently.
But the minister’s real concern, he said, is what happened after the arrest.
For 23 days, as Rama lay recovering, his case drew visitors and attention from across the political spectrum.
“Rama was met by politicians including Opposition leaders, activists and even the CM himself, who also gave him police protection,” Khaunte noted.
The question, he said, is not about the assault anymore but about the shift in narrative.
“If Rama speaks the truth, why did he not tell the CM then that he was involved? And when he was discharged on the 23rd day, suddenly he took the CM’s and my name – who made him say this? This must be investigated,” Khaunte asserted.
Calling the issue “very serious,” the Tourism Minister demanded a probe into “who put words in Rama’s mouth” and suggested that political motives may be at play.
Khaunte also pointed out that Kankonkar’s claim of losing faith in the police, advocates and judiciary raises a larger question.
“If he has no trust in anyone, then whom is he trusting? This needs to be asked,” he remarked, hinting at possible external influence shaping the activist’s statements.
A narrative under construction?
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte believes that the seeds of this controversy were sown much earlier.
“When the assault happened, there were already attempts to build a narrative,” he said, adding that “Rama today is playing to that same narrative.”
Khaunte’s remarks reflect a growing unease within the government over what it perceives as an orchestrated attempt to turn an individual’s grievance into a political weapon.
BIGGER PICTURE: For now, the police investigation continues.
But in the court of public opinion, the battle lines seem drawn. The opposition sees an opportunity to question the State’s handling of dissent and safety of activists, while the government insists that the real story lies elsewhere – in the motives behind the new accusations.
And as Goa watches the unfolding drama, one question lingers: is Rama’s voice his own, or an echo of the political chorus around him?
