the goan I network
MARGAO
“The Indian Constitution does not bar anyone from becoming a gau rakshak. But, when these gau rakshaks come down to Goa, they should know that for every gau rakshak, there’s a Goa rakshak who will protect every Goemkar and the age-old communal harmony prevailing in the state,” Sardesai warned, while addressing the media on Saturday.
He said the Indian Constitution gives many rights to the citizens, including the right to change the Constitution.
“We cannot stop these people from making any demands. We cannot stop the 60 lakh tourists coming to Goa, including the Sadhvis and Saraswatis from making statements because they do not know what is Goemkarponn,” he said.
The TCP Minister, however, made the government’s stand clear to those trying to disturb communal harmony in the state, warning “as a Minister in the government, our stand is clear that anyone who intends to take the law in their hands will have to face stern action, whichever colour he may wear”.
Pointing out that the backbone of the Parrikar-led government is Goemkarponn, which binds all Goans, irrespective of religious affiliations, Sardesai accused the Congress party for trying to fish in troubled waters on the issue.
“People like Sadhvi Saraswati is seeking cheap publicity and so is Congress leader Girish Chodankar. Goans are not interested in their machinations as they know their ‘secular nature’,” he said.
He also demanded to know from Chodankar as to why he and the Congress party did not ban the organizations that were responsible for the bomb blast in Margao when the then Congress Chief Minister Digmabar Kamat was attending the function.
“At that time, the Centre and the state was ruled by the Congress. Can Chodankar tell us why the organizations behind the bomb blast were not banned at that time?” he questioned.
Allaying fears of every section of society on the beef ban issue, the TCP Minister made it clear that the government is not here to appease any particular community, but only to protect Goemkarponn. “We may be accused of appeasement of the minorities. But, let me make clear that we are here to protect all sections of society. We are not here to do injustice to the Hindu community or any other community,” he added.
