This is with regards to “Decision on farm laws cannot heal scars of farmers” (The Goan Everyday, November 20, 2011).
Finally, PM Narendra Modi decides to repeal three controversial farm laws. Needless to say that a wave of relief has spread amongst the protesting farmers with spontaneous celebrations breaking out where the farmers have been protesting for almost a year now.
This sordid tale with a happy end has a Goa connection. The former Goa Governor and incumbent Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik deserves all the credit for his bold stand. Satya Pal Malik has demonstrated time and again that he - true to his name - is an upholder of the truth. He believes in calling a spade a spade. If his personal viewpoints do not match with the viewpoints of that of his party, Satya Pal Malik does not shy away from airing his personal viewpoints on public forums much to the embarrassment of his party.
Satya Pal Malik would always advise the Delhi government in power to listen to the protesting farmers and give in to their demands if BJP wanted to return to power. He had gone to the extent of offering his services as an interlocutor between the protesting farmers and the government of the day.
Today the former Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik is a happy man. His stand is vindicated. PM Modi has heeded Satya Pal Malik’s advice to accept the demands of the protesting farmers. Satya Pal Malik’s stature as a statesman has only grown by leaps and bounds in the eyes of his admirers. He has come across as someone who is not scared of swimming against the current. Hats off to Satya Pal Malik. May his tribe increase.
