OUR AZAD MAIDAN MUST REMAIN AZAD The decision to prohibit any public protests at Panaji’s Azad Maidan is very high-handed and outrageous. A blatant assault on democracy. It is an irony that the move came on a day when the Government commenced a year long celebration of Goa’s 60th year of Liberation. That a whopping 100 crores is needlessly being squandered on this extravaganza is another issue.
Azad Maidan in the heart of Goa’s capital has always been a venue for public meetings and people’s protests on wrong doings by the government. The Right to peacefully demonstrate is enshrined in our Constitution and is a right that cannot be taken away by any authority. In 1985, when the then Panjim Municipal Council (now CCP) had leased out Azad Maidan to the Delhi based All India Stall Holders Association to run a sale exhibition for eight months, I was able to successfully move a petition before the Collector that Azad Maidan being one of the few lungs of the city be left free for public use. The Collector directed the exhibitors to immediately vacate Azad Maidan and that decision was also upheld by the High Court whom the exhibitors had moved challenging the order of the Collector. Azad Maidan has been over the years where aggrieved citizens have congregated to raise their voices against injustice and to demonstrate on various issues concerning Goa. Azad Maidan must remain truly Azad, free from any repressive tactics by the powers to be. May better sense prevail in the authorities and hopefully they would withdraw this draconian move which absolutely does not augur well in a democracy. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
