(Published in: Navhind Times, June 30, 2008)
A Dangerous Trend
EDITORIAL
FRIDAYS incident of wanton violence in Margao is enough for any Goan to hang his head in shame. The manner in which some miscreants tried to exploit the case of an eve teasing for furthering their politico-religious gains is indeed deplorable. This was not the first time Margao has witnessed communal tension. Last year too, Margao witnessed a similar situation on the issue of alleged misbehaviour with a woman by a shop owner. In both the incidents no caste or religion was involved. But the religious bigots who have been waiting in wings to spread communal hatred were quick to grab the opportunity and indulge in arson and violence.
Goa is no more immune to the communal divide and none else but the Goans are to be blamed for this. Ever since the Curchoerem-Sanvordem incident when a masjid was attacked and damaged by some miscreants in 2006, communalism has raised its ugly head in one form or the other. What is ironical is that this communal divide is more prominent in south Goa, which has a comparative cosmopolitan image: The people are literate and the region is economically advanced and comparatively developed.
In fact the cosmopolitan character is the perfect fodder for the communal forces. They are aware that people of these areas are more vulnerable. This is the reason that these forces indulge in reckless violence. What happened in Goa, hurling petrol bomb on Hospicio hospital, setting on fire the motorcycle at Calmati and indiscriminate stone throwing, are manifestations of this psyche. The criminals resorted to tried and trusted mechanisms to coerce and terrorise the common people.
It would not be exaggeration to blame the political parties and politicians for creating this situation. Their sustained harping on 'outsiders' and 'migrants' has simply divided the society and strengthened the element of mistrust and hatred. If a migrant has turned suspect in the eyes of the local people, he too has become suspect in the eyes of the migrants. This situation would certainly not augur well for Goa. For achieving their narrow political gains these people have simply been trying to polarise the society.
There is little doubt that Friday's incident was blown out of proportion by elements who have been thriving on such issues. It was merely an eve teasing case and the person who had committed the offence could very well have been arrested. But unfortunately, religious bigots used the opportunity to deliver provocative speeches and were also found to be planning to assault some persons.
In this scenario, the fight against crime and criminals has been put on a back burner. The sufferer is the common people, and in broader frame, the humanity. The government has to act tough against such elements that are out to destroy the social and communal harmony on the plea of fighting the migrants. Instead of becoming captive to such slogans, the government should have a pragmatic look. A violent act does not discriminate between a native and a migrant. For it both are soft targets. The government ought not forget that everywhere these forces have been using such jargons and cliche to survive and thrive. What is happening in Goa is no an exception. This is the part of greater mechanism of the communal forces.