The values of the Indian Constitution—Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity—promote co-existence amidst the diversity of this country. These values are not just oriented towards growth but also promote respect for positive living.
However, the promotion and protection of faith have remained the most contentious matters of harmonious living. The issue stemming from the recent public event in Vasco, where Gautam Kattar made offensive remarks about St Francis Xavier, has deeply hurt religious sentiments.
Moreover, the presence of political leaders at the event and their failure to intervene has further fuelled outrage among Goans, cutting across different faiths.
The organised function was to celebrate Parshuram Jayanti. The purpose and character of such a celebration should be to extol his values and philosophy towards synchronicity. An opportunity for nation-building was wasted and a controversy was fuelled.
The tone and aggression of the speaker’s expression were to assert that he does not care about the consequences of the law, since that is exactly the situation in the country today.
One can blatantly fabricate lies and express them with audacity since it depends on who makes the statements. The speaker’s views were well known through social media platforms about the revered St Francis Xavier. Now, he had the alacrity to state his views vocally in public since he was not arrested earlier for his remarks on the Saint on social media platforms. He was emboldened to circumvent the law.
Besides, it is always the practice of any organising committee to do a background check of the credibility of the speakers. I have no doubt that the organisers refrained from this age-old practice. Nevertheless, the organisers had the audacity to invite, as their key speaker, a very well-known hate monger.
These actions can arise only when someone is certain that the implementation of the law is very weak in its intent and execution. Moreover, a minister and two MLAs present had an obligation to protect the Constitutional values, but they displayed their real commitment to it.
It is extremely unfortunate that the law is blatantly violated by those who ought to protect and implement it, merely by offering the cover of investigation.
One can ask the government: what is the outcome of the investigation with regard to the incident of a person questioning the DNA of the Saint?
Now, the Chief Minister has appealed to the affected community to have patience. The concerned community has always maintained restraint in public life, even when provoked, not as a sign of weakness but of their strong belief in dignified living. Can we expect any positive outcome from the said investigations, or will it be another case of waiting until the anger and frustration die out, until another similar episode occurs?
There will be some semblance of law and order in society only if the hate mongers are punished as per law. The government has failed in its duty to maintain law and order. Mere statements do not build the confidence of the affected community; actions do.
One wonders if the Chief Minister will act decisively to exhibit his expressed intent: “No one will go scot-free by hurting the sentiments of the people of Goa in this manner”.
(The writer is a President of Council for Social Justice and Peace)
