BLURB
The Assembly is the democratic forum where elected representatives of the people must hold debates on matters that affect the people
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, is what we are witnessing in Goa. That atrocious and scornful ‘Bhumiputra’ legislation was the biggest affront that this government could have inflicted on the very identity of Goa and Goans.
Goans need a public apology on account of that ill-conceived and deceitful ‘Bhumiputra’ legislation that was recklessly and hurriedly bulldozed through the recent session of the Legislative Assembly.
It is imperative that all those responsible for this entire episode must be held responsible. Equally answerable are those officials in the Law department who cleared such a horrendous bill without examining its legal implications as the government is duty bound by the mandate of the Supreme Court to clear all illegal and unauthorized structures.
Though we all knew that this appalling move would not withstand the test of law, it did create an unnecessary heartburn and needless panic for a lot of people more particularly senior citizens who were so very disturbed.
It was known to all that this illegal and foul move was to try and lure voters as the Assembly elections are round the corner. But the government had to retreat in view of the spontaneous massive backlash it faced from disturbed Goans from all sections of the society. The public rage is not just to the name of that proposed law but to its content and more particularly the vested political intent.
As any legislation that is enacted has far reaching effects on the State and its people, there must be a detailed and thorough debate on the pros and cons of every law that is contemplated. We elect Legislators to debate issues concerning the people and to enact good laws. The Assembly is the democratic forum where elected representatives of the people must hold debates on matters that affect the people. It should afford an opportunity for members to discuss the intricacies of government policy, proposed new laws and topical issues of the day. Debates are designed to assist MLAs to reach an informed decision on a subject.
Curtailing to mere three days the duration of that session of the Legislative Assembly was a very overbearing wrong move that did not augur well in the framework of democracy. Besides in this current pandemic, Goa is grappling with so many very grave issues and the Legislative Assembly should have been a proper and appropriate forum for the MLAs to raise and debate issues pertaining to the public. The sittings of the Legislative Assembly have to be meaningful and fruitful in the interest of the State and not merely a cosmetic exercise aimed at fulfilling that constitutional requirement.
It is imperative that there should be a free and fair meaningful debate without bulldozing legislations through. Stifling debate by a lackluster Assembly only leads to the current malaise and downward spiral we find ourselves in and it is absolutely anti-democratic. It ignores the aspirations and best interests of the people and leads to a more dictatorial style of government with poor laws, lack of accountability, scrutiny and transparency. It erodes any trust that the public may have in their MLAs.
If elected lawmakers can be so uncaring and abdicate their sacred and democratic duties how can they expect other institutions to respect the poorly enacted laws that they legislate?
In a way we deserve the political rot because sadly, we knowingly elect MLAs who are by the people, of the people but definitely not for the people. But thankfully as a safeguard, our Constitution provides for a Judiciary that can intervene when the Legislature or Executive exceeds its limits.
(The writer is a social activist)
