File photo of Fr Bismarque Dias playing at Carmona a month ago to drum up support against the Raheja project.
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MARGAO
Restoring Goa’s polluted rivers, including the contaminated River Sal, to its pristine glory, was on the next agenda of Bismarque Dias as part of his battle to save the state’s environment and water bodies, even as Salcete remembered the social activist for working closely with issues plaguing the taluka over the years.
The last time Bismarque had descended in Salcete was in connection with the anti-Raheja campaign with his musical band, to drum up support against the Mumbai-based realtor. His troupe had not only landed at Carmona on October 20, belting a couple of numbers, but he also gave a call to Carmonkars to stay united, saying that Salcete as a whole will be doomed if Raheja sets its foot in Carmona. His troupe returned back to Margao a few days, playing at the entrance to Margao Municipal building, again to oppose the Raheja project through music and songs.
He made his presence felt in October again at Benaulim at the invitation of Benaulim Civic and Social Forum to enlighten local activists on RTI and comunidade land. An emotionally-choked Secretary of Benaulim Civic and Social Forum, Jose Rodrigues, said Goa has lost a fighter, who had the interest of the state at heart.
“He did not say no to our request for an interaction with our villagers on RTI and on comunidade land. He was a true fighter,” Jose said.
Social activist Judith Almeida, who had worked closely with Bismarque over the years, said that the activist had planned to take up the issue of Goa’s polluted rivers, including Salcete’s lifeline River Sal, with the National Green Tribunal.
“He had closely worked with activists from Salcete on all major environment issues facing the state. His troupe had played at SGPDA market as well as part of the Save Tiracol movement,” Judith recalled.
“Some days ago, he had told me that is he under threat for taking up the issues, but he insisted that we to save our land for posterity. He had the fighting spirit in him to take up issues concerning the environment and farmers,” she said, while demanding that Goa government should go in for a CBI inquiry to clear the air of suspicion behind his death.
Around two years ago, Bismarque had joined the farmers from Dovondem and Fatorda to oppose the Parrikar government’s plan to take the Margao KTC bus stand in the fields near the wholesale fish market.
City-based social activist Jose Marie Miranda said that Bismarque was a regular visitor to Salcete, interacting with members of the village groups.
“He used to come down to Margao to meet members of the village groups and go late home on his motorcycle. I met him recently near MMC building when the Save Tiracol band performed in support of the anti-Raheja agitation at Carmona,” Miranda said, adding that Bismarque will not only be missed, but his struggle to save Goa and its environment will be remembered for a long time to come.
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VGG demands CBI probe
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Strongly suspecting foul play in sudden death of former priest-turned-activist Bismarque Dias under mysterious circumstances, Village Groups of Goa (VGG) has demanded a CBI enquiry into the incident as he had been a target of death threats.
“In his valiant fight for protecting Goa and its environment, he was committed, sincere and fearless activist and a true Goan whose heartbeat was always for Goa at all times and was in all places ever willing to render his support and got involved very actively for just causes, even to the point of contesting the Assembly elections in the State against all odds of money and muscle power. Nothing suppressed this firebrand activist,” stated VGG President, Zarinha Da Cunha.
She commended Bismarque's his work for the love of Goa and demanded all efforts for initiating a thorough CBI enquiry into his mysterious demise.
VGG also called upon all true and right-thinking Goans the world over to take a firm stand in bringing justice to the people of Goa and uphold the respect and dignity of Bismarque in his exemplary and courageous fight for Goa.
