The ‘Enough is Enough’ public meeting scheduled for May 30 at Azad Maidan in Panaji has been cancelled after the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) revoked the movement’s No Objection Certificate (NOC). The CCP had initially granted permission on May 21, but withdrew it on May 25, citing the setting up of an exhibition for Goa Statehood Day. The organisers questioned the timing of this decision and have described it as politically motivated, alleging that it was intended to block a growing civic movement and silence critical voices in civil society. The ‘Enough is Enough’ initiative, led by retired Justice Rebello and supported by civil society members, has emerged in response to public concern over issues such as corruption, illegal land conversions, hill cutting, and environmental degradation in Goa. The movement claims to represent citizen frustration and has been gaining traction. Its organisers argue that the withdrawal of permission reflects discomfort within the government over a platform that brings together credible voices with a structured agenda. They further allege that instead of addressing these concerns, the administration is attempting to create procedural hurdles.
On the other hand, the State government has organised an exhibition at Azad Maidan to mark Goa Statehood Day, after what critics describe as delayed planning. The organisers of the movement argue that the exhibition lacks substantive achievements to showcase and will involve unnecessary expenditure at a time when the State’s finances are under strain. Goa’s public debt currently stands at Rs 35,723.6 crore, with projections indicating a further rise to Rs 30,945.32 crore by the end of the fiscal year. Critics have suggested that instead of a government-led showcase, each panchayat could be encouraged to present local development achievements, offering a more grounded account of progress.
The cancellation of the rally has intensified debate over democratic space in the State. Supporters of the movement insist that Azad Maidan, as a public space, belongs to citizens and should remain open for peaceful expression. They argue that meaningful Statehood Day celebrations should involve dialogue with the public and engagement with real concerns, rather than controlled displays. The dispute has now come to symbolise a wider tension between civic activism and the State’s response to dissent.
