Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the BJP owe a public apology to every Goan on account of that ill-conceived and deceitful ‘Bhumiputra’ legislation that was with ulterior motives recklessly and hurriedly bulldozed through the just concluded session of the Legislative Assembly. Given the string of decisions taken by the Chief Minister against the interest of the State, whether Goans would even entertain his apology is another issue.
It is imperative that all those responsible for this entire episode be held accountable. 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 stupendous move by the government 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 perturbed over this draconian move by the Government. It is an irony that while Goa is officially celebrating 60 years of liberation, the Government chose to act so high-handedly and callously.
It was no secret that this illegal and foul move by the BJP was to try and lure voters as the Assembly elections are fast approaching. But the government had to retreat in view of the spontaneous massive backlash it faced from concerned Goans from all sections of the society. The public outrage is not just to the name of the proposed law but to its content and more particularly the vested political intent.
But there was also hope that Governor Pillai would have never given his assent to such an irresponsible legislation having far reaching effect on the very foundations of our State and its unique identity.
The Chief Minister has once again displayed his rank political immaturity and if he has any sense of the people’s pulse he requires to outright consign to the bin that ‘Bhumiputra Adhikarini’ bill and not even dare to rename and reintroduce it. Pramod Sawant has just a few months remaining, so he would be well advised to enjoy that Chair and not rock it while it lasts.
