The elections to the Lok Sabha are just weeks away, and this should be a time for introspection. Fortunately or unfortunately, there appears to be nothing to debate upon in the North Goa seat as most believe the constituency is of the BJP for the taking.
Whatever the arithmetic, here are some few truths that could have got election pundits thinking.
Since November, people along the coastal belt have been complaining, in vain, about the level of noise pollution, despite having a judgment of the Supreme Court in their favour.
People even marched with lit candles towards the Anjuna police station, protesting the loud music which could actually be heard where the protest was being held.
There appears to be nothing to debate upon in the North Goa seat as most believe the constituency is of the BJP for the taking.
With the police displaying unconcern, citizens met the local MLA, not once but twice, and on both occasions, the local police inspector was present.
The MLA didn’t say anything – who would want to be on record when a judgment of the highest court is flouted? – but promised that no music would be played after 10 pm.
The silence of the MLA was deafened by the loud music that started playing soon after the meeting with the citizens ended, and, by then, it became evident that the elected cared little for the people once their electoral battle had been won.
Noise pollution did not just affect Anjuna, but practically the entire northern coastal belt, and, for sure, that would transcribe into a number of votes that could make a difference.
Loud music for long hours affects all, but people at the receiving end had to bear the brunt because many a time, not all in the family cared because money had a big role in silencing protests.
The silence of the MLA was deafened by the loud music that started playing soon after the meeting with the citizens ended, and by then, it became evident that the elected cared little for the people once their electoral battle had been won.
If the people were upset, it did not matter because money spoke, and it spoke a language that was best understood by the greedy, who have no soul.
The candlelight protests in Anjuna reached Siolim, but this time, people gathered to protest the indiscriminate felling of centuries-old trees without the necessary permission.
This time, the protests were silent, but they lit up the village because the affected came out in numbers that kept increasing daily. Inhabitants of the village were upset by the manner in which trees were cut, compound walls were demolished, and voters were treated as bystanders.
The local MLA was in action again, though muted. She preferred to look the other way and tried, in whatever little way she could, to push the ball in the PWD’s court.
Most officers, today, have seen the sweet and sour of politics, and now know how to pass the ball back without a bounce, and thereby spilled the beans the local MLA was trying to hold.
As though that was not enough, the cabinet pushed through an ordinance that made living life under shacks so beautiful. With no permissions required, it was song and dance for those who could make others dance with their money.
When there was noise, the courts had to intervene, and, yet, the show went on. When our elephant was threatened, the court had to intervene, and when land was being sold to the highest bidder, the court moved in again.
Goa is seeing a circus, where the ringmaster has forgotten his roles and all the animals are having a party around the canvas top that is meant to spell togetherness.
Despite the state of affairs, we believe, or are convinced, that the BJP is set to retain its seat for the sixth or seventh time.
Despite the state of affairs, we believe, or are convinced, that the BJP is set to retain its seat for the sixth or seventh time. It does not really matter. What matters is, how?
It has become evident that elections are now being fought based on religious affiliations, which tarnishes the sanctity of all religions. Just think about voting for a candidate solely based on his/her Hindu, Catholic, or Muslim background. Where does that leave us?
We know it’s just that we pretend or prefer to look the other way because we cannot keep fooling ourselves that the choice was never ours.
