PANAJI
Voices opposing the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021 have begun growing louder with every passing day, with political parties and groups across the State objecting to the Bill, either in its entirety or in some aspects, while many have even taken offence to the use and definition of ‘Bhumiputra’ as being anti-Goan.
While Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai has already begun receiving representations by parties and organisations urging him not to give his assent to the Bill, some organisations have decided to spread public awareness and others have even threatened a state-wide agitation against the Bill.
USE OF ‘BHUMIPUTRA’
Taking objection to the use and definition of ‘Bhumiputra’ in the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, MGP leader and Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar demanded that the State government repeal the bill.
"Using the word ‘Bhumiputra’ in the Bill is an insult to the real Bhumiputras. Instead of focusing on such a Bill, the State government should first give preference to reconstruct houses of flood of affected Niz Goenkars,” said Dhavalikar during a news conference on Monday.
“The definition of ‘Bhumiputra’ for people residing in the State for more than 30 years is not correct. Actually, the definition of ‘Bhumiputra’ should be people who were residing in Goa before 1968.”
"Goa’s unique social culture will be distorted by this step of the State government. People natives to other states have their different culture and their roots are not Goan. Hence, they cannot be termed as ‘Bhumiputra’,” said Dhavalikar.
PUBLIC CAMPAIGN
Terming the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021 as “anti-Goan”, the forum ‘Progressive Front of Goa’ (PFG) has decided to create public awareness against the Bill.
Prof Prajal Sakhardande of PFG said its members would reach out to people to make them aware about the Bill.
He appealed to people to come together to agitate against the Bill and to force government to repeal it.
Adv Hridaynath Shirodkar of PFG said the Gawda, Kunbi, Velip, communities are recognised as ‘Bhumiputra’ and not people who reside just for 30 years.
“The purpose of the Bill is to regularise illegal houses of the migrant population. Does the government want to regularise houses of Bangladeshi nationals who reside in some slum areas,” asked adv. Shirodkar.
“Even encroachments on temple property will be legalised. This bill has been brought in through the backdoor. How can a committee of bureaucrats directly under government control be trusted to make free and fair decisions about the number of years of illegal houses,” questioned Shirodkar.
He said PFG members would meet the governor and urge him not give assent to the Bill.
“We are sure the Bill will not survive legal scrutiny,” said Adv. Shirodkar.
STATEWIDE AGITATION
The Gawada Kunbi Velip and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED) on Monday submitted a memorandum to Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai requesting him not to grant assent to the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021.
The GAKUVED has also threatened a State-wide agitation against the bill.
“This Bill has defined the meaning of ‘Bhumiputra’, which is a sensitive issue as far as indigenous people of Goa are concerned. Necessary debate and discussion was most required on the floor on the House as it has newly described who is Bhumiputra or son of the soil” stated the memorandum.
The memorandum said the Bill is gross injustice to indigenous communities who have protected, preserved, served and shaped the land for several centuries and who identify themselves as ‘Bhumiputra’ or son of the soil.
One has to do thorough research on the subject matter through experts and through known anthropologists to describe who is ‘Bhumiputra’, stated GAKUVED.
