It was extremely heartening to note how the brave Uday Bhembre stood up to Hindutva goons from the Bajrang Dal. At the same time it is distressing how no statement of condemnation was issued by the Chief Minister or the saffron MLAs, it is abundantly clear that right wing vigilantism in Goa is being aided and abetted by the ruling dispensation. All Sawant talks about is how the Portuguese destroyed temples, Shivaji was a benevolent king ruling over large parts of Goa, how conversion by Christian missionaries was rampant in the past, how distorted history is being taught in schools and other such assorted lies and bilge. It was shameless on part of the government to not pull up these thugs who barged into the house of the tallest leader of the Opinion Poll movement and a literary titan in his own right. A few demonstrators gathered at Lohia Maidan to express solidarity with Bhembre and voiced concern over the attempt to suppress free speech. The secular fabric of Goa has to be protected from the likes of BD, VHP, RSS, Durga Vahini etc. by all right thinking individuals. Hats off to Bhembre for standing up to pseudo-religious tyranny.
