Floriano wrote:
"Communalism was in the blood of Goan Hindus, for I have witnessed it in the
raw. I could write a whole book on the subject.
The only factor that kept it subdued was the unmitigating 'disciplined' rule
of the Portuguese.
That gone, communalism got to budding afresh."
Opinion:
I personally feel this is too brash and insensitive a statement to make
about Goan Hindus. I have not had the experience of growing up in a
Portuguese regime but definitely in a Hindu environment. I myself have
learnt a lot of good things from Hindus and continue to have a couple of
Hindus as our family friends. Were we not Hindus before conversion? To say
that communalism is in their blood would amount to saying that we cristaos
have also inherited genes of communalism in our blood. Though there are some
cultural differences arising from religious practices and beliefs, I have
had wonderful experiences having worked and continuing to work quite closely
with Hindus in several parts of Goa.
The problem is a bunch of religious mad men (predominantly settlers from
neighbouring states) in collaboration with some local delinquents who
misguide them and blackmail them into supporting hate agendas. Their target
is ignorant and poor Hindus that are vulnerable. There are some Hindu
families in Goa who have been ostracised because they do not submit to these
agendas. Others succumb from social pressure and that is natural. I think it
is ignorant and misinformed catholics who forward the agendas of these
rabied forces by very often associating with them under the camouflage of
Saving Goa. We Goans cannot save our families and are trumpeting the cause
of Saving Goa?
-Soter D.
