Where are we heading?
We have Manipur and now unspeakable violence and arson in Haryana just outside the capital of India. Communal hatred and lumpen elements allowed free rein with incompetent police/prejudiced state governments that only act after the event rather than prevent it. There are now people just waiting for hurt sentiments and authorities willing to oblige them. Today we have someone in Canacona hurt by Fr Bolmax Pereira’s homily in church because he is reported to have implied that if Shivaji Maharaj is a national hero, so be it and don’t worship him as a God.
This is as usual taken out of context and FIR sought to be filed under section 156(A) of the IPC for promoting enmity and disharmony of all Goans irrespective of caste, creed, religion that might lead to communal discord etc.
Everyone apparently in our democracy must have no freedom of speech, thought and dare not voice an opinion, make a creative movie, write a poem/book, tell a joke, dress or choose to eat or drink what the majority community disapproves of. This dangerous unconstitutional attitude to harass, divide and spread intolerance and hatred must stop or breed violence, fear and disharmony rather than love and peace in the land of the Mahatma.
