“The anger is rooted in a widely shared belief that no serious effort has been made to save Goa’s land. Over the years, people have watched fields, orchards and open hillsides gradually give way to development. Zoning changes and land conversions may be justified in the name of growth, but on the ground, they have created a sense that Goa is being reshaped without regard for the people who live there.
Land is no longer just an asset in Goa. It has become a luxury. Prices have risen to the point where many Goans cannot afford to buy even a small plot. Families who once assumed they would build homes near their villages now find that dream out of reach. For younger generations, especially, the idea of owning land in Goa is becoming increasingly unrealistic.”
The hunger strike by RGP MLA Viresh Borkar over Section 39A is not just another political protest. It reflects a growing frustration among Goans who feel their land is slipping away, piece by piece, with little effort from those in power to protect it. The issue has struck a nerve because it goes far beyond one provision in the Town and Country Planning framework. For many, it is about survival in a state where land has become scarce and unaffordable.
Borkar’s refusal to end his fast despite assurances from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant shows how deeply the sentiment runs. The government has indicated a willingness to keep Section 39A in abeyance, but the demand from protesters is clear. They want the provision scrapped entirely. To them, a temporary pause does not solve a permanent problem.
The anger is rooted in a widely shared belief that no serious effort has been made to save Goa’s land. Over the years, people have watched fields, orchards and open hillsides gradually give way to development. Zoning changes and land conversions may be justified in the name of growth, but on the ground, they have created a sense that Goa is being reshaped without regard for the people who live there.
Land is no longer just an asset in Goa. It has become a luxury. Prices have risen to the point where many Goans cannot afford to buy even a small plot. Families who once assumed they would build homes near their villages now find that dream out of reach. For younger generations, especially, the idea of owning land in Goa is becoming increasingly unrealistic.
This raises a troubling question. If Goans cannot afford land in Goa, where are they expected to go?
For some, the answer is already becoming clear. Border areas outside the state such as Dodamarg, Banda and Sawantwadi, are being seen as alternatives. The fact that Goans may have to move beyond their own state simply to afford a home has become a powerful symbol of what many see as a failure of policy.
This is why Section 39A has become such a flashpoint. It is not just about legal provisions or planning procedures. It represents a larger fear that land conversions are happening too easily and too quickly. Whether it is a hill slope, a field or a green zone, every conversion reinforces the belief that Goa’s land is being steadily consumed.
The protests and the hunger strike reflect a deeper anxiety about identity and belonging. Land in Goa has always carried emotional value. It is tied to family history, village life and a sense of place. When people feel that land is disappearing, they also feel that their connection to Goa is weakening.
The government faces a difficult task. Development cannot simply stop. Goa needs infrastructure, housing and economic activity. But development that leaves locals behind is bound to create resentment. When people feel they are being pushed out of their own state, the reaction is inevitable.
Keeping Section 39A in abeyance may be seen by the government as a step forward. For protesters, it is only a delay. The demand to scrap the provision entirely reflects a lack of trust that temporary measures will lead to meaningful change.
What is unfolding now is not just a policy dispute. It is a warning sign. The anger surrounding land issues has been building quietly for years, and it is now coming to the surface. The hunger strike has simply given that anger a focal point.
If the concerns are not addressed, the protests may subside, but the frustration will remain. Because at its heart, this issue is not just about one section of a law.
It is about whether ordinary Goans will still have a place to live in the land they call home.
