One of the key problems in Goa, as I see it, is the unhealthy polarisation of opinion -- on the basis of religion, caste, party, geography (Salcete versus Bardez versus Ponda versus Canacona ... or on village lines), ethnciity. So we take our stands depending on *who* is doing things and *who* is facing the fire, not on the basis of the issue itself.
This is nothing new, of course. The history of the 20th century in Goa has been filled with such polarisations. Bamon versus Chardos (among Catholics). Nacionalistas versus jaihindistas. MGP versus UGP. Saraswats (sometimes plus Catholics) versus Bahujans. Old Conquests versus New Conquests. Hindus versus Catholics. 'Ghantis' versus 'Goans' and so on. On Goanet, to me, the problem seems to be the projection of issues based on *who* is involved. Babush Monserrate becomes a hero when he has the chances of beating a Congress's (discredited) Somnath Zuwarkar, who has long acted as a voice for local realtor/tourism interests, and whose aide Babush was once). After awhile, he gets portrayed as a goon. While there's no denial of the reality, he goes on to become lionised once again as long as he's close to the BJP. When his home gets raided by Income Tax sleuths in a Congress-ruled India, Parrikar (not Rajan!) is quick to reach out to his defence. Later, his betrayal and key role in opportunistically toppling the BJP government here (as opportunistic as his action in helping it to come to power) earns his saffron wrath. Yet, a covert election-time pact allows both to sail home in the Panjim and Taleigao constituencies. In the latest case, the same leader who has "come out of these sad events with any degree of credibility" has, 12 hours later, frontpaged his demand for a judicial probe into "police action against three elected representatives". So much for an ability to build good arguments and take whatever stand one wishes in the matter of hours. One could always point to the "incidents after 10 pm" to justify the change in stance. Of course, in the long history of Goa, Babush is just one blip. So why do we bluff ourselves that this is about individuals and political parties, rather than social processes, lobbies, the lust for real estate and property, and the 'permanent government' that rules Goa whichever parry or politician acts as the front? It's interesting to see the manner in which political 'goons' are standing up for one another. It's time the people did so to protect their common interest, rather than getting caught up on taking sides based on which side of the fence our patron saints are caught on currently. FN > Manohar Parrikar is the only politician who seems to > have come out of these sad events with any degree > of credibility . I would say that even if I detested him > and the BJP with the same visceral hate that some on > this forum exhibit. > I hope fellow goanetters ( particularly from the other > side of the divide ) agree. > luv and regards, > anand > ( Dr Anand Virgincar ) -- Frederick Noronha http://fn.goa-india.org