It is well known that any law or rule can be misused, but the Goa cabinet passing a draft bill that is absolutely one-sided appears to be meant to be misused. It lays down that anyone coercing to convert, RI for 20 years to end of life. Anyone intending to convert has to give 60 days’ advance declaration. Money from abroad used for conversion carries 7 to 14 years RI and a fine of more than Rs 10 lakh. And in like manner clauses that are absolutely subjective and partisan. Are we a democracy, and do we not have a Constitution and more than enough laws for unlawful conversions? Can anything so controversial be imposed without openly consulting the people and discussing it with the Opposition? The destruction of Goa by unsustainable development as pointed out by the various movements/agitations all over Goa and the communal harmony that the residents are fighting to preserve need urgent attention first. We value our constitutional freedoms and honour our responsibilities. If those who criticize the government are called “dimagi Naxals,” we need to question “sarkari Naxals”?
JOHN ERIC GOMES, Porvorim
