OLD GOA
Even as the Save Mhadei Save Goa Front slammed the statement of Union Minister Amit Shah that Mhadei waters have been diverted in consultation with Goa CM, the Front has given hints that massive protests would be organised in the State in the coming days. Speaking to reporters in Panaji, on Sunday, Front member Hrudaynath Shirodkar informed that in the next 15 days, the people themselves would organise protests as the BJP government has betrayed Goans on the Mhadei issue.
“There is a strong possibility of Goans getting aggressive as we are receiving calls from various quarters of taking the movement forward in an aggressive mode. However, it will be the people who will take the movement forward from now on,” Shirodkar said.
“We are getting calls of the need to close the borders but it is the people who are going to take the lead and we are going to extend support,” Shirodkar informed.
When pointed out by the reporters that the people on their own would not hit the streets unless the Front, which has been leading the movement, gives such a call, Shirodkar informed that the Front has given a platform to the people and it is now upto the people to use the platform and take the movement forward.
“If we give a call, then we will be picked up by the police. This is how the government functions,” Shirodkar opined while reasoning why the Front is not giving any call which would alert the authorities.
“There is an attempt being made to give political colour to the Save Mhadei Front movement, which is not the case, and hence the Front has decided to support the people in taking the movement forward as it is a people’s movement,” Shirodkar added.
Mahesh Mhambrey said that even during the protest organised in December, 2019, the Front members were in the forefront and now also the Front members will remain in the forefront but the agitation will be led by the people.
Upon constant insistence, the Front members finally said that they don’t want to divulge their plans as they fear the government would scuttle the same by arresting the leaders.
Earlier, Historian Prajal Sakhardande slammed the State BJP government for betraying the Goans on the Mhadei issue.
“The Goans are angry over such betrayal and we condemn the statement of Union Minister Amit Shah and I appeal all Goans to unitedly take the agitation forward,” Sakhardande informed.
Slamming CM Sawant for betraying Goans, Mahesh Mhambrey challenged him to file contempt petition against Amit Shah for his utterances on Mhadei despite the issue being in the SC.
