MARGAO
Trinamool Congress leader Dr Jorson Fernandes has said the cunning decision of the Government urging citizens, NGOs, Associations and all others working in the related field to provide inputs pertaining to historical or religious sites destroyed either by Portuguese rulers or during their rule in Goa is a clear double-edged dangerous sword, attempting to inject the polarisation agenda in Goa.
In a statement, he said this is being done to stifle pluralism and secularism in the State with a view to secure both the Parliament seats that Goa has to offer at the ensuing 2024 elections.
“The seriousness of the dangerous nationalist agenda is very obvious since both Subash Phal Desai, Minister for Archives and Archaeology as well as the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant admitted that the list of religious or heritage sites destroyed by the Portuguese is not available with the Archaeology Department and hence a public notice has been issued ostensibly to change the social and cultural fabric of Goa and Goans which could lead to tensions leading to changing the landscape and ethos of the Goan society which has been pluralistic and secular all these years”, he said.
He added: “And, this is very worrisome, moreover as a provision of Rs 20 crore has been provided for the restoration of the temples during the current financial year which ends in March 2023. Could a very serious, scientific archeological research be undertaken within this short period of four months as November 30 is the deadline to submit the representations with relevant documents or photographs?”
He said these are diversionary tactics by the present dispensation, which needs to introspect that they are destroying (already destroyed) Goa's pristine heritage with coal, real estate super-development with concrete jungles, double-tracking, casinos, drugs, golf courses, privatisation of jetties and ports and what not, often displacing the sons of the soil just to welcome and accomodate the new colonisers from Delhi. Goans must feel that they are supported and cared about the State's development, Dr Jorson added.
