(Herald
March 12, 2007)
Editorial
Stop communal trouble
It has been one year since the state was rocked by communal violence in Savordem and
Curchorem. And sadly one year later, the same village was rocked once again by two warring factions of a particular community.
What have we learnt from these incidents? Simple that it only takes a spark to set off a riot in Goa and it only needs a few rumours for trouble to break out. In this context, while the Central government has enacted a bill to preserve communal harmony, surely Goa should also consider moving such a bill to maintain the tranquility and harmony in the state. Goa is undergoing a sea change and this is more than evident from the changing demographic profile of the state. Certain communities are increasing and certain communities are on the decline. And this is where it is essential that the law enforcement authorities are given additional teeth to tackle such situations.
Over the past few years, Goa has witnessed incidents which have a communal tinge to it. The incident at Bambolim, vandilisation of churches and crosses and now the clashes at Savordem. What was horrifying about the clashes was the intensity where choppers and swords were openly used? This is not the behaviour Goa is used to and unless the authorities contemplated a bill which can curb these incidents then do not expect the tranquility of Goa to remain the same. Goa needs a bill where the law enforcement authorities have the power to arrest anyone making inflammatory speeches or for that matter stirring up communal discord. It should be given the power to place under house arrest known trouble makers and for that matter the right to takeover any religious place which is known to ferment religious trouble or which is being used as a base to stir up communal tension. Many will say that this will be too draconian and will violate religious freedom but what is at stake here. People’s lives and property which is in danger due to few vested interests. And it should be in place because those who stir up the trouble do not get affected. It is the ordinary man who loses everything, it is the ordinary man who has to run from pillar to post and it is the ordinary man who has to try and find his future in the ashes. It is to protect these people, the innocent and to ensure that the social fabric of the state is maintained that Goa has to have some measures to stop it before it can erupt. Because all it takes is one spark and Goa cannot afford that spark.
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