I am not saying the St Jacinto locals are correct, but the Navy should have convinced locals before deciding. Raising a national flag is a matter of great pride for me personally, and I feel no Indian can oppose the same.
While saying this, if the St Jacinto islanders opposed the national Tricolor unfurling function for their hate towards the Indian Navy or India, they have to be seriously dealt with, or the “iron fist”, as the Chief Minister said. We cannot allow such sentiments to grow. It is best to nip it in the bud.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Edior, Goemkarponn
On Saturday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant ordered a probe into the incident wherein the St Jacinto Island locals objected to the Navy unfurling the National tricolour on the island.
The development has become a national issue after the Navy decided to suspend its plans of I-Day celebrations at St Jacinto island.
Netizens criticised the locals, saying it is St Jacinto island, a new Lal Chowk of Srinagar. The Tricolor will now unfurl at the Lal Chowk of Srinagar but now at an island in Goa, said a Twitterati.
Many BJP leaders, including former Panaji MLA Siddharth Kuncoliencar, invited the Navy to unfurl teh flag at his home.
The netizens were more upset about the involvement of NCP State President Jose Philip D’Souza, who supported the locals.
The netizens asked, “Is Goa still under Portuguese rule?”
While social media has gone wild over the issue and the CM ordering inquiry for the “Anti-national” behaviour, one has to look into the reality.
The locals have said that they would unfurl the tricolour in their own way and do not need an outsider to do so. The locals allege they did so because the Navy in the past has tried to grab some islands in Goa under the garb of Defence acquisition.
Now, the question that arises is though the Navy has decided to withdraw the function, did it take any permission from any authority in the first place?
Yes, a national flag can be unfurled anywhere, but would the Navy allow a layman to go and unfurl a flag on their property?
No doubt, we are proud of our defence forces – Army, Navy and Air Force but the citizens too have their right to oppose if they feel something is wrong and someone is encroaching on their rights and property as we are a free country.
I am not saying the St Jacinto locals are correct, but the Navy should have convinced locals before deciding. Raising a national flag is a matter of great pride for me personally, and I feel no Indian can oppose the same.
While saying this, if the St Jacinto islanders opposed the national Tricolor unfurling function for their hate towards the Indian Navy or India, they have to be seriously dealt with, or the “iron fist”, as the Chief Minister said. We cannot allow such sentiments to grow. It is best to nip it in the bud.
The Chief Ministre’s probe has to focus on former Minister Jose Philipe D’Souza’s role. Did he instigate the locals to fulfil his political ambitions? If yes, he has to be behind bars.
The politicians have been doing such things for decades now to garner votes. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated, and Govt must send the right signal, right here, right now.
As we enter into the 75th year of Independence, we need to be more vigilant with such parasites. This would be a typical scenario considering the Assembly Election 2022 is right around teh corner.
