DEEPAK LAAD
We take pride in describing India as rainbow of religions and confluence of cultures. But then there are times like these when from Tarun Gogoi to irate common men agitating in Assam today talk of protecting their unique language, culture and heritage at all costs. They are opposing the government’s rushing through Citizenship (Amendment) Act intended to give back-door citizenship to those Hindus left out of National Register of Citizens ( NRC), categorizing them as persecuted for their religious beliefs.
Four months ago, Modi government voided semi autonomous status of the state of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh by abrogating Article 370 and slicing and downgrading it in two union territories. Article 14 of the Constitution that provides the citizen equality before the law or equal protection of the law within the territory of India was juggled before us and we were told that the Kashmiris were brought in the mainstream for their progress and development of their state.
“All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others” said the pigs that controlled the government of George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm.’ The same way, Article 371 which has special provision of exclusivity is currently applicable to North Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur to safeguard the rights of the natives with regard to cultural, religious, social practices, local laws, education, ownership and transfer of land. Meghalaya too will implement ‘inner line permit’ system once the relevant act is passed. The government swears by the Constitution only when the articles are beneficial to it politically, otherwise political expediency takes precedence and laws that are inconsistent with the Constitutional provisions are blatantly passed.
Irony is, after abrogation of Article 370, when the Kashmiris looked distraught and sullen, people from the rest of the country, including some in Goa got into a tizzy. Sadly, what our Goan friends have conveniently forgotten is that , until recently, we too had been demanding ‘special status ’for our miniscule state.
At the time Portuguese departed from Goa, the culturally and economically unique state was different from the rest of the country. The little paradise was blessed with lovely pristine beaches lined with swaying palms and verdant countryside. So we needed the special status direly “ not so much with an eye on the dole from the center, as to retain our cultural heritage, uniqueness intact and save the limited land from onslaught of migrants. Selling pieces of land parcels of this paradise to outsiders is a lucrative business and our politicians benefit from land deals. Our ministers, chief ministers are seen proudly inaugurating mega apartment projects that are mainly constructed for the moneybags from other parts of the country for whom this is a holiday destination. The Governors, IAS-IPS officers, Defense services officers and Bank executives rush in chase of choice properties the moment they set their foot on our soil.
So far we had limited number of migrants coming here from neighboring states in search of jobs or to start businesses, but today the state is overcrowded due to exponential population growth as swarms of migrants from Bihar, Orissa, UP and places as far as distant North Eastern states and Uttarakhand keep descending regularly. On the other hand an increasing number of Goans - mostly Catholics- is settling abroad. Today, it is sorry state of affairs for the Goans, who have become minority in their own land.
When our government and politicians try to educate us that in a republic citizens are free to travel and settle anywhere in the country to earn their livelihood, governments in states like Andhra Pradesh, MP and some others are busy bringing legislations to reserve larger chunks of jobs for the sons and daughters of their soil.
In the past, political parties held the carrot of ‘special status’ to win elections and capture power, the way they now dangle promise to start mining activities and shift floating casinos. When Congress party was in power in the state it was ruling at the centre too. The Congress MP known to be close to the first family of Congress, failed to capitalize on that relationship to help us get the special status. When Parrikar helmed the state under BJP rule, Modi government ruled at the centre. In his election rally in Goa, prior to 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi had promised special status to us, if he came to power. After he came to power, the promise met the same fate as his other ‘Jumla’ that promised to bring home black money of Indians stashed in Swiss banks and credit Rs 15 lakhs in every Indian’s bank account.
The paradise is lost - barely recognizable today. The flourishing Casino lobby give two hoots what the government thinks, has it’s ways in the absence of the gaming commissioner. Russians have set up their own businesses and hospitality industry in the Northern beach belt. Drug peddlers, pimps, prostitutes do their business unchecked and unchallenged. Goa is fast emerging as ‘vices capital’ of India. The government looks weak and hopelessly acquiescent. The small drug hauls and booking down-market pimps and prostitutes is just a proverbial tip of an iceberg. These small actions help keep the police department relevant and create opportunities for officers to bag medals.
The reason why the Goans are not being taken seriously by the centre on issues like special status or Mhadei river water is that our leaders look weak, lack that punch the agitating people from North East and JNU students throw at the union government. Muscular government at the center takes notice and act only when it is whacked out of its stupor by muscular challengers. Our leadership falls short on that count.
