MARGAO
Asserting that a Minority Commission is a constitutional safeguard and not a political favour, social worker Warren Alemao has on Monday slammed Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho for saying there is no need for a Minority commission in Goa.
Saying that Mauvin seemed to have conveniently forgotten his roots and religion for the sake of political appeasement, Alemao said the minister is not only insulting the constitutional rights of minorities but also betraying the very faith he was baptized into.
“The Minority Commission exists to protect against discrimination, ensure equal opportunities and preserve cultural & religious rights “ rights guaranteed under our Constitution. To say “we don’t differentiate” while denying a commission is hypocrisy of the highest order”, he said, adding “If there’s no discrimination, then why fear a body that exists to ensure fairness”.
“Goa’s minorities “ Catholics, Muslims and others “ deserve representation, protection and a voice. A Minority Commission is not charity. It is a constitutional body that ensures we are not silenced, sidelined, or stripped of our rights. Rejecting it means one thing: they don’t want a watchdog exposing discrimination and bias”, he said, while demanding the immediate setting up of a Minority Commission in Goa.
