The tiny state of Goa is known the world over for its peace-loving citizens and has gone down as an epitome of communal harmony and peaceful co-existence. Even when elsewhere the country was being rocked by communal tensions, communities that for ages have been living side by side in this peaceful haven have displayed exemplary grit and restraint while maintaining its age-old highest traditions of harmonious bonding and respectful living. Of late, however, such a beautiful mosaic of peace and harmony is being deliberately sought to be tattered to pieces by a few unscrupulous and disruptive elements seemingly with the tacit support of the powers that be. The recent ugly incident of criminal trespass into Church property at Sancoale by a group with malafide intentions has not only hurt the sentiments of the Catholic community in Goa but has shocked the entire peace-loving and law-abiding Goan community residing here and living abroad. While we grapple with the pandemic that has shaken the entire world we cannot let this pernicious act be taken lightly. The virus of communalism is deadlier than the pandemic and needs to be nipped in the bud before it spreads its toxic tentacles to other areas. The CM would do well to win the trust of the citizenry by reining down heavily on those who are out to disrupt and disturb the communal harmony that defines our identity embedded in our traditional ethos and values. While we hope for the return of “amchem bhangarachem Goem” in its 60th liberation year to its original glory, we pray that harmony remains the heart and friendship remains the soul of the state.
