Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: A group of irate artists have banded together to demand a white paper and the resignation of Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude if the iconic structure is not restored within 15 days, given the ongoing state of Kala Academy.
During their Monday discussion in Panaji, the artists stated, “The government should submit a white paper giving details of the repairs conducted at the Kala Academy till date, along with all updates.” In addition, they asked Gaude to resign from the Academy if it wasn’t restored in the allotted time.
The artists also decided to bring their complaints and demands for the prompt restoration of the structure to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Culture Minister Govind Gaude.
Government sources claim that Gaude is taking the artists’ demand seriously, but the artist has not responded to date.
In an effort to support those engaged in the legal battle to save Kala Academy, the artists have called on their fraternity from various talukas to visit the school.
The Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium started to leak during a performance of the Konkani play “Girgirem” in the middle of May, amid intense pre-monsoon showers. While the CM and other prominent ruling lawmakers were occupied with the Lok Sabha election campaign, the opposition accused them of being corrupt and scammers.
Rainwater seeped into the main auditorium during a renovation project at Kala Academy, prompting the Goa Forward Party to demand an audit.
People became enraged with the government in April following the collapse of the Kala Academy building’s false ceiling.
Outraged by a string of similar occurrences, writers, theater professionals, and Kala Academy supporters gathered here on Monday night and expressed their fury at the government for failing to address the school’s problems even after it reopened.
