The decision to prohibit any public protests at Panaji’s Azad Maidan is very high-handed and outrageous. A blatant assault on democracy. It is an irony that the move came on a day when the Government commenced year-long celebrations of Goa’s 60th year of Liberation. That a whopping Rs 100 crore are needlessly being squandered on this extravaganza is another issue. Azad Maidan in the heart of Goa’s capital has always been a venue for public meetings and people’s protests on wrongdoings of the government. The right to peacefully demonstrate is enshrined in our Constitution and is a right that cannot be taken away by any authority. In 1985, when the then Panjim Municipal Council (now CCP) had leased out Azad Maidan to the Delhi-based All India Stall Holders Association to run an exhibition-cum-sale for eight months, I made a plea to the Collector that Azad Maidan, being one of the few lungs of the city, be left free for public use. The Collector directed the exhibitors to immediately vacate Azad Maidan and that decision was also upheld by the High Court whom the exhibitors had moved challenging the order of the Collector. Azad Maidan has been a place for aggrieved citizens to raise their voices against injustice and to demonstrate on various issues concerning Goa. May better sense prevail to withdraw this draconian move which does not augur well for democracy.
