VASCO
Kannada Sahitya Parishad President Siddhanna Meti on Tuesday evening criticised the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) for allegedly adopting double standards on political grounds and attempting to mislead innocent Goans through divisive rhetoric.
Speaking to reporters, Meti questioned the RGP’s stance on the “Person of Goan Origin” (POGO) concept, accusing the party of twisting its narrative to suit political convenience.
“They are running this agenda of ‘Person of Goan Origin (POGO)’ as someone whose parents or grandparents were born in Goa or were residing here prior to December 20, 1961. I am 53 years old, born and brought up in Goa, but I am not interested in politics. However, there are many Kannadigas whose grandparents were born here, and this may be their third generation in Goa ” making them eligible under the POGO criteria,” Meti said.
“I want to ask Parab whether he is ready to offer such Kannadigas a Revolutionary Goans Party ticket for elections. If RGP truly stands by its own agenda and gives a Kannadiga candidate a ticket, we will stand 100 per cent with him. Together, our votes and his votes can help elect at least 10-20 RGP MLAs, and Manoj Parab can finally stake claim as chief minister. We are not interested in politics, but this is to show him how hollow his own argument is,” Meti added.
Meti further said that RGP had unfairly portrayed Kannadigas and Lamanis as criminals, which was far from factual.
“There are around 3 lakh Kannadigas in Goa, and not all of them are criminals. Every state has 2-3 percent of people who may have a criminal mindset or indulge in rowdyism or hatred, but that cannot define an entire community,” Meti stated.
He continued, “If anyone from our community is involved in crime, I will be the first to demand his arrest and strict punishment. But don’t target the poor ” go after the wealthy who are destroying Goa. The government can recover crores from rich offenders and use that money to uplift the poor.”
Meti also emphasised that Kannadigas had never targeted Goans or the RGP, reminding that both regions have always shared close ties.
“We have never targeted RGP or Goans because we are neighbouring states. One can start from Goa in the morning and reach Belagavi by evening ” there has never been any issue between us. It is the RGP that is trying to create unnecessary tension,” he said.
Reiterating his community’s apolitical stand, Meti made a direct appeal to legislators across parties.
“I want to make it clear to all MLAs and MPs of every party in Goa that we are not against anyone nor do we favour any party. We only say that there should be no politics at the cost of our people. My only concern is the safety and dignity of our community,” Meti asserted.
On the issue of land encroachment, Meti said many Kannadigas who started with small jobs in Goa had worked their way up and lawfully purchased small plots after years of hard work.
“Today, a Kannadiga who came here years ago, got married here, and raised a family, has progressed. Their children are well-educated and working in good positions. They have built homes on land purchased legally. Does that mean they are encroaching on Goan land?” Meti asked.
“Kannadigas may buy or sell property, but they cannot put Goan land in their pockets and carry it to Karnataka. Goa has been their workplace for generations, and they love this land as much as any Goan,” he asserted.
Highlighting how Kannadigas were unfairly subjected to hate due to Parab’s politics, Meti said that the RGP leader had used divisive rhetoric to turn Goans against a peace-loving community that had contributed immensely to the State.
“For the last five years, Parab has been calling us ‘Ghanti’ and spreading hatred under the pretext of protecting Goans. This deliberate campaign has made many Kannadigas feel alienated in the very place they have lived and worked for decades,” Meti said.
