OLD GOA
In a major setback to the Old Goa fast satyagraha, two members have alleged that they have been used and thrown by the Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC).
Speaking at a news conference in Old Goa on Monday, SOGAC Vice-President Golda Almeida said she is facing harassment from other members of the committee as she has been highlighting the maltreatment of participants of the fast satyagraha.
“There was a meeting of SOGAC on Sunday in which the issue of Ana Gracias’ resignation as secretary came up. One member said she should be thrown out as such members who talk against politicians and priests should not be allowed to continue in the committee,” Almeida informed.
“However, when I pointed out that Gracias has only resigned as a secretary and not as a member, that particular member vented his anger at me and also said the members who voice their opposition should also not be part of the committee.”
“Nobody, not even the SOGAC president, said anything to that particular member due to which I walked out of the meeting and went to the site of the satyagraha where I started feeling uneasy with pain in the chest. I requested to be taken to a doctor but nobody cared,” Almeida informed.
“I feel the real reason why I am being targeted is because I highlighted the maltreatment meted out to the poor women who sit at the satyagraha where their needs are not taken care of. Since I speak out against such treatment, I am seen as the culprit and being targeted by other members of SOGAC,” Almeida stated and questioned if the needs of the participants cannot be taken care of, then why are they running the protest.
But when questioned as to who is running the protest, Almeida said she herself doesn’t know.
“We don’t know who is running the protest and who will be responsible if anything untoward incident happens with the participants,” Almeida said.
“Initially, we were told not to take the name of SOGAC. It was only later when the issue started getting publicity that the name of SOGAC was brought in the forefront,” she alleged.
