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Breakdown of extended families has fatal consequences.Posted on September 23,
2015, 11:35 AM An Indian fisherwoman walks near a beach in Goa in February
2009. Observers say there is a growing divide among Catholic families with
longstanding roots in the former Portuguese colony. (Photo by Indranil
Mukherjee/AFP)Panaji: A man stabs his mother and sister over a family property
dispute. Another bludgeons his brother and sister-in-law with a spade. Yet
another kills his younger brother while arguing over property.
In another case this month, an obituary announcement asked family members who
had opposed inventory proceedings of the deceased, not to attend the funeral.
Such incidents in this former Portuguese colony, now a western Indian state,
indicate the growing divide among Catholic families who, because of close
historical ties to colonial authorities, have large ancestral agricultural
properties.
Goa, a Catholic stronghold and India's smallest state, is known for its white
sand beaches and palm-fringed villages and is an attraction for both national
and international tourists. As people migrated to Goa from across India in the
past two decades, land prices have soared and become preferred investments.
This has led to a disturbing trend in recent times, with siblings alleging
partiality of parents in sharing land and fighting for a better, "rightful
share" in ancestral property.
These rifts are primarily because traditionally large extended families have
split into smaller units, says Elvis Gomes, a police officer who was also
earlier director of panchayats, or village councils. He suggests that the Goa
archbishop should start special courts to resolve such issues in a Catholic
spirit.
"In the past, it was community living, where one brother would reach out to the
other, and one's wealth was seen as common wealth. This no longer holds true in
present society," Gomes said.
'An equal share'
Empowerment of women, too, has contributed to the problem, according to Antonio
Fernandes, a social scientist.
Over the years, women who were married off with a dowry signed a document
surrendering all rights to family property. But women are now challenging such
documents following legal advice that they are entitled for an equal share of
ancestral property, Fernandes said.
If a sibling has converted ancestral land to a commercial complex or apartment
complex, "then the daughters too ought to be given a share in the commercial
profits," he said.
Moreover, "the daughters are seeking an equal share, often at the behest of
their husbands," Fernandes said.
Pilar Father Valente Azavedo, a counselor, attributed jealousy to the discord
as nuclear families want more than what they have or received.
"There are cases where parents show more affinity to a particular sibling and
allot a greater share to the favorite," he said.
Father Simon Diniz, a clinical psychologist and principal of Rosary College in
South Goa district, said people have forgotten the purpose of life.
"People have become slaves to money ... They are not bothered about heaven or
hell, and are ready to do any jugglery, forgery, fabrication and concoction to
attain wealth," he said. "Spouses as well as children do not respect each
other. People live as if they have come to here to live forever."
"Envy has grown so much because we have no God in life today. Everybody is
qualified, but not educated," the priest said.
About a quarter of the state's 1.8 million people are Christians, almost all of
them Catholic.
Source: UCAN
