By Sandeep Heble
A group of parents, under the banner of “Sacred Names Protection Forum”, deeply anguished by the recent happenings, have come together to express their collective grief. “Our religious sentiments are hurt!” they moan. The reason? FIRs have been filed against social activists Rama Kankonkar and Shankar Polji—both named after revered Hindu gods. “How can complaints be filed against those who carry the names of our deities? This is an insult to our faith,” they argue. “If such frivolous cases continue, who will dare name their children after gods in the future?” they lament, their voices heavy with concern for tradition, faith, and—most importantly—common sense.
Social activist and National RTI Award winner Rajan Ghate, visibly distressed by this growing mob mindset, has decided to launch yet another fast at Azad Maidan. “This is not lokshahi (democracy); this is hukumshahi (dictatorship)!” he declares, probably hoping someone, somewhere, still remembers the concept of Swaraj and Azaadi. Do we have the real Azaadi that Subhash Chandra Bose envisioned, he asks.
Meanwhile, other activists are scratching their heads in confusion. “When ex-minister Pandurang Madkaikar made serious corruption allegations against the government, where were this hurt sentiments group ?” they ask. Where are they when the Smart City looks so messed up, they question.
Sudeep Dalvi and the Friends of Fr. Bismarck group are equally puzzled. “What’s there to be upset about?” Dalvi wonders. “We thrive on this kind of daily entertainment, it’s good for the daily laughs and to relieve us from all the stress, of fighting frequent battles. Scientific thinking, logic, and reasoning have been replaced by fragile sentiments, ultra-soft religious feelings and super-sensitive emotions, says Dalvi.
Dr Oscar Rebello, never one to mince words, points out the greatest mystery of all—why Goans never seem to get hurt when politicians switch parties overnight, betraying the very people who elect them. “Jumping from one party to another is apparently fine, but questioning someone’s statements? Now that’s unacceptable!” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Have Goans completely lost it? Wake up before it’s too late!”
Adding some much-needed perspective, constitutional expert Cleofatio Coutinho reminds everyone that democracy is not supposed to be a who-shouts-louder contest. “Majoritarianism and brute force cannot override constitutional and universal principles,” he asserts.
Meanwhile, many citizens wonder whether logic, reasoning, and scientific thinking have all been pushed aside to make way for religious sentiments. A single comment, a passing remark, even a misinterpreted joke—anything can now lead to an FIR.
At this rate, we may soon need police stations dedicated solely to processing “hurt sentiment” complaints, why can’t the public just learn to ignore what they don’t like, the citizens moan.
(This piece is lighthearted and no disrespect is intended toward any individual or groups mentioned above).
