Monday, October 13, 2008

attack on Goa people's democratic rights

I just read about an attack on Bambolin and Goanise people. I here condemned the brutal act by police, mining authorities, mafias and state who tried to crush the voice of the Mand people for their right to land and forest. It is always assumed that the adivasi and illiterate people are opposing to give their land for the so called development. But you can see now well established farm house owners are also caught in the same net. A Net by builders, land grabber mafias, mine owners, forest tourism sponsors ..............It is a learning lesson for middle classs who have never given support to poor and indigenous people's right to their shelter and natural resources. On the name of development and patriotism the cost of the life and livelihood was asked from poor and marginalized. But slowly it reached to the middle class. The so called development is asking sacrifice of your own land, house, water, trees, forest, animals everything. Who shows the courage to protest and claim or reclaim their rights have faced state terror and violence. Just before a week Well known writer and 83yrs old social leader R.V.Bhuskute and 48 adivasi claimants were arrested and kept in the jail under non bailable charge shit.
All this act show the Govts. responsibility and accountability for the Mafias and mine owners, forest contractors and timber lobby, favouritism for land grabbers and so called conservationist. International actors and mega national or multinational companies are involved in this racket. So it is easy to target social activist like Bhuskuteji or Sebastian and keep them in jail.
It is very beautiful picture to see that the major believer of nonviolence and peace and with people's fundamental rights are behind the jail and the real criminals are protected by state, they are roaming free outside. Don't worry if you will be in solidarity with the people for right to life and livelihood you have a bright future in jail. Bravo republic and democracy.
Just decide on which side of fence you will be. Are you waiting till they catch you in the net? Did you not realize yet after so much pollution, climate change, the huge flood, disasters that on the name of development they are digging graves for us?
So be with small, thin but 'strong will' voices before they would be crushed in the silence.
Lata P.M.
NCAS, Pune