The growing opposition to Section 39A has reached a significant milestone, with gram sabhas passing unanimous resolutions demanding its repeal. On Sunday, the Chicalim gram sabha unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the scrapping of Section 39A, marking the first time that the panchayat has officially taken such a stand. On the very same day, the Aldona gram sabha also unanimously passed a resolution seeking the repeal of Section 39A through a majority show of hands. Gram sabhas are the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system and represent the collective voice of the people at the grassroots level. When villagers gather in a gram sabha and express their views through a democratic process, those opinions deserve serious consideration. Concerns over Section 39A are no longer confined to isolated groups or individuals. Instead, the demand for its repeal is emerging as a people's movement that is steadily gaining momentum across the state. A democratic government has a responsibility to listen to the voices when expressed through constitutionally recognized institutions such as gram sabhas. The demand for the repeal of Section 39A is growing, and it cannot be ignored.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
