Goemkarponn desk
Panaji:
The Goa Forward Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai lambasted the Chief Minister’s decision to hold the upcoming 12-day Budget Session from March 24 to April 12 when the dates conflict with the Holy Week of Lent which marks Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, observed by Goan Catholics across the state.
Like the mischievous ‘Good Governance Day’ and the apathy towards beef scarcity, this is another cunning and premeditated attempt to endear himself to his BJP bosses by victimising devout Catholics across Goa.
Vijai hit out strongly against the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant saying “Sawant is posturing as the flag bearer of their divisive and communal agenda in Goa.
The GFP President and Fatorda MLA demanded postponement of the Budget Session until after the Holy Week, and that the Chief Minister and the Minister of Legislative Affairs, Mauvin Godhino apologize to Goa’s Catholic community for this blatant insensitivity and insult.
The GFP President Vijai Sardesai said that the present government is ‘completely power hungry, works for outsiders, and looks down upon Goemkars with contempt. “We knew that this government treats the people with disrespect but now it is evident they will do the same with God.”
Sardesai added that “as a practicing Hindu, my parents taught me to respect all religions, and even more as Goans, we cannot tolerate disrespect to our Catholic brethren and their feelings. We are one community, Hindu, Catholic and Muslim; why is Sawant working hard to divide us if not to please his handlers in Delhi ?
The GFP chief said that “though the CM may claim to have forgotten the dates of the Holy Week just like he forgot the Opinion Poll Day, the fact remains that he has never showed any interest, involvement or intent in anything Goan.
Sardesai suggested that Pramod Sawant and his government should fire their ‘Delhi-consultants’ with their vested interests, and immediately listen to the voice of the people of Goa.
Vijai Sardesai pointed out that the Chief Minister is bent on destroying secular fabric of Goa and is sending a clear message that Goan Catholic sentiments do not matter, and they have to submit and surrender to the decisions his government takes.
This is all the more reason that we need to unite as Goans and fight this apathetic regime. He said.
