PREETU NAIR
SANGUEM: “English should be taught from standard I in all government and government-aided schools. As our children are denied English education from standard I, they have difficulty competing with children from English medium schools,” said Sheikh Mukhtiar, a small time businessman.
His friend, Mohammad Khan, who works in the Gulf added, “As there are no English medium schools in the area, we are forced to send our children to a Konkani medium government school.” Mohammad insists that he understands the benefits of learning in English and feels guilty about not being able to send his child to an English medium school.
In Sanguem, there are many like Mohammad who have no option but to send their children to Marathi or Konkani government or government-aided primary school because there are no English medium schools in the area. And parents who seek to educate their children in English have to send their kids to Sanvordem.
People here strongly believe that if knowledge of mother tongue helps one understand their roots and build identity, then knowledge of English prepares a child for future challenges. “What is wrong if the children speak bilingual: mother tongue as well as universal language in school? Anyway children learn mother tongue very quickly if parents continue to use mother tongue with them,” observed Sheikh Abdul Ghani.
Ghani added that children anyway learn to speak in mother tongue because it is the language spoken at home. “But English is a language they find difficult to learn because most of the time even parents can’t speak in the language. But we want to ensure that the children learn in English which is the universal language,” he said.
A standard VIII student Sheikh Manjal, who had his basic education in Marathi, admits that the complete shift from Marathi to English was not easy. “It was a nightmare. Unlearning what you have learnt in the mother tongue till standard IV and then learning things in an almost alien language from standard V is difficult. It took sometime for me to come to terms with understanding, writing and speaking in English. I respect my mother tongue but the struggle from switching from learning things from one language to another is taxing”, he said.
There are also many who agree that the core identity of a culture is embodied in and perpetuated by its language, yet insist on sending their children to English medium school. Reason. “Learning in English is an access to higher education and economic mobility. Perfect knowledge of English is definitely the cornerstone of success in a fast-driven economy,” opined Ravindra Borker.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Just Another Act?Goa Childrens Act
"Is the Goa Children’s Act more about an act and less about children? Even though the much awaited Children’s Court have started functioning , it has brought into sharp focus several loopholes in the Act that may come in the way of justice ,dignity and safety to Goa’s children.
In 2002, the state government along with few individuals , “sincerely and genuinely” committed to the cause of the children identified and drew a wish list of what needs to be done to create a “a child friendly society”. To ensure that every child has his childhood, Goa Children’s Act 2003 came into force from July 2003 and Children’s Court stated on December 10, 2004 in Goa.
Three years later, the activists and lawyers who were part of the “landmark legislation and a path breaking initiative” are disillusioned with the Goa Children’s Act 2003 and Children’ Court. In the first state in the Country to enact legislation that seeks to give every child, a childhood, innocent children still continues to raped or molested, child labour and prostitution exists.
“One truth that the public must know is that the final draft of all sections that was handled over to the state is not what has finally found its place in the Children’s Act. Behind this is a hand or force that really never allowed the rights of the children to become a reality in the manner intended by the NGO’s and other drafting committee members.” said Bernie D’Souza, Jan Ugahi an organization working for child rights in Margao.
A reliable source at the Law department revealed that a senior counsel who was called from Delhi to look into the Act, disappointed left it mid way. When this reporter tried to meet V.P.Shetye, Legal Advisor to the Government of Goa he said “I have nothing to inform you”.
Questions are now being raised whether the Children’s Court is really child friendly? “Is there a special place for children to sit or will they be seated in the small crowded courtroom along with the accused or their abusers?
“We fought so hard to get the Court in session. Every other issue took priority for the state .Is this what we asked for our children?” added Bernie.
According to Sabina Martins, member, Bailancho Saad, “Many now refuse to register a case of molestation or rape against a minor due to delay in justice .They argue that while the accused is released on bail, the victim child suffers continuous mental tension for long.”
Even Nishta Desai, Children’s Rights Group admits that thought the Children’s Court had been denying bail to offenders in several cases, the most recent case of the High Court granting bail to a suspected offender who had been denied bail by the Children’s Court is a matter of grave concern. "This is an issue that needs to be examined as it will influence the way in which the Children’s Court deals with bail applications. Also the Children’s Court only meets once a week .The frequency with which it sits needs to be increased so that hearings for bail applications can be heard by the Children’s Court with the Public Prosecutor appearing for the victim in the trial proceedings also appearing in the matter of bail application” observed Nishta.
Reliable sources admit that the real problem will start when the trials will begin in the Children’s Court, especially if the loopholes in the Children’s Act are not amended. According to Goa Children’s Act 2003,sec 32 (1)(1) “whenever any offence is alleged to have been committed against a child , the burden of proving that such offence has not been committed by the accused shall lie on the accused .” However, as per the Evidence Act it is on the Prosecution to prove that the offence has been committed by the accused .One advocate has also filed a writ petition in Bombay High Court challenging this section of Burden of Proof.
Further sec.32 (1) (m) of the Act says” whenever a child who is a victim of a crime is required to pose before any authority including this Court, the child shall not be exposed to the presence of the accused or the perpetrators of the crime”.
But universal jurisprudence rests on the sole assumption that “I am innocent till proved guilty”. Moreover, during trial the accused may say that he does not want a lawyer for a particular time and may do the cross-examination of the victim.
Has Goa Children’s Act 2003 changed the fate of the street children?
No. even prior to the framing of the Children’s Act, there has been provisions in the Constitution and the Indian Penal Code, which seeks to protect the child from sexual exploitation. “We have to admit that legislations alone cannot bring in change, unless and until the basic needs of the poor are met,” believes Advocate Pritam da Piedade Morais.
Further critics of Goa Children’s Act 2003 say that when the Central Children’s Bill is almost ready what was the hurry to have a separate Act for Goa? When the Central Bill is implemented which Act will prevail – the State or Central , they question.
Advocate Shanti Fonseca, who was one of the members who drafted the Children’s Act revealed that she was happy that the Children’s Act should come out so soon and in such a manner?” History reveals that the best laws which have been implemented are those which come from the will of the people and not those which are imposed from above. This Act was never the will of the people; it was not the voice of the people of Goa.They never demanded it. People in Goa do not feel that all children are their responsibility.
Why will Goans want to protect a non- Goan child, unless they accept all children are our children,” she said. However, Santosh Vaidya, Secretary, Women and Child Development maintained that the amendment is in process and the present Congress- led government has agreed that the amendments will be done either through Ordinance or Bill.
“Consultations process has been completed and the suggestions will be incorporated in the Act,” added Vaidya.
In 2002, the state government along with few individuals , “sincerely and genuinely” committed to the cause of the children identified and drew a wish list of what needs to be done to create a “a child friendly society”. To ensure that every child has his childhood, Goa Children’s Act 2003 came into force from July 2003 and Children’s Court stated on December 10, 2004 in Goa.
Three years later, the activists and lawyers who were part of the “landmark legislation and a path breaking initiative” are disillusioned with the Goa Children’s Act 2003 and Children’ Court. In the first state in the Country to enact legislation that seeks to give every child, a childhood, innocent children still continues to raped or molested, child labour and prostitution exists.
“One truth that the public must know is that the final draft of all sections that was handled over to the state is not what has finally found its place in the Children’s Act. Behind this is a hand or force that really never allowed the rights of the children to become a reality in the manner intended by the NGO’s and other drafting committee members.” said Bernie D’Souza, Jan Ugahi an organization working for child rights in Margao.
A reliable source at the Law department revealed that a senior counsel who was called from Delhi to look into the Act, disappointed left it mid way. When this reporter tried to meet V.P.Shetye, Legal Advisor to the Government of Goa he said “I have nothing to inform you”.
Questions are now being raised whether the Children’s Court is really child friendly? “Is there a special place for children to sit or will they be seated in the small crowded courtroom along with the accused or their abusers?
“We fought so hard to get the Court in session. Every other issue took priority for the state .Is this what we asked for our children?” added Bernie.
According to Sabina Martins, member, Bailancho Saad, “Many now refuse to register a case of molestation or rape against a minor due to delay in justice .They argue that while the accused is released on bail, the victim child suffers continuous mental tension for long.”
Even Nishta Desai, Children’s Rights Group admits that thought the Children’s Court had been denying bail to offenders in several cases, the most recent case of the High Court granting bail to a suspected offender who had been denied bail by the Children’s Court is a matter of grave concern. "This is an issue that needs to be examined as it will influence the way in which the Children’s Court deals with bail applications. Also the Children’s Court only meets once a week .The frequency with which it sits needs to be increased so that hearings for bail applications can be heard by the Children’s Court with the Public Prosecutor appearing for the victim in the trial proceedings also appearing in the matter of bail application” observed Nishta.
Reliable sources admit that the real problem will start when the trials will begin in the Children’s Court, especially if the loopholes in the Children’s Act are not amended. According to Goa Children’s Act 2003,sec 32 (1)(1) “whenever any offence is alleged to have been committed against a child , the burden of proving that such offence has not been committed by the accused shall lie on the accused .” However, as per the Evidence Act it is on the Prosecution to prove that the offence has been committed by the accused .One advocate has also filed a writ petition in Bombay High Court challenging this section of Burden of Proof.
Further sec.32 (1) (m) of the Act says” whenever a child who is a victim of a crime is required to pose before any authority including this Court, the child shall not be exposed to the presence of the accused or the perpetrators of the crime”.
But universal jurisprudence rests on the sole assumption that “I am innocent till proved guilty”. Moreover, during trial the accused may say that he does not want a lawyer for a particular time and may do the cross-examination of the victim.
Has Goa Children’s Act 2003 changed the fate of the street children?
No. even prior to the framing of the Children’s Act, there has been provisions in the Constitution and the Indian Penal Code, which seeks to protect the child from sexual exploitation. “We have to admit that legislations alone cannot bring in change, unless and until the basic needs of the poor are met,” believes Advocate Pritam da Piedade Morais.
Further critics of Goa Children’s Act 2003 say that when the Central Children’s Bill is almost ready what was the hurry to have a separate Act for Goa? When the Central Bill is implemented which Act will prevail – the State or Central , they question.
Advocate Shanti Fonseca, who was one of the members who drafted the Children’s Act revealed that she was happy that the Children’s Act should come out so soon and in such a manner?” History reveals that the best laws which have been implemented are those which come from the will of the people and not those which are imposed from above. This Act was never the will of the people; it was not the voice of the people of Goa.They never demanded it. People in Goa do not feel that all children are their responsibility.
Why will Goans want to protect a non- Goan child, unless they accept all children are our children,” she said. However, Santosh Vaidya, Secretary, Women and Child Development maintained that the amendment is in process and the present Congress- led government has agreed that the amendments will be done either through Ordinance or Bill.
“Consultations process has been completed and the suggestions will be incorporated in the Act,” added Vaidya.
Phenomenal woman: Sashikala Govekar
By Preetu Nair and Peter D’Souza
On a search for its Woman of the Year, the Goan newspaper Gomantak Times came across the extraordinary Sashikala Govekar, a fisherwoman who breathes life into Mapusa market, and a sarpanch who is much respected in Nerul
She is a mother, a sister, a professional, a provider, a fighter, a struggler, a realist, a radical, a performer, a perfectionist, a lady, a life-giver and a sarpanch. Above all, Sashikala Govekar is a fisherwoman from Mapusa, Goa .
Three months ago, on International Women's Day, Gomantak Times decided to look for a Woman of the Year. The criterion was simple. Obvious publicity-hungry so-called achievers were out. So too were those who were in the continuous race for awards and recognition. Gomantak's Woman of the Year had to conform to the ideals the paper had set for itself: simplicity, hard work, humility and self-sufficiency.
We looked everywhere until finally we found our heroine among lots and lots of fish at the Mapusa fish market.
“…Now you understand just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about, or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud…I'm a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that's me.” These lines from Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman define Sashikala Govekar, called Sashi, perfectly. Sashi speaks in the lilting cadence of the fisherwoman she was trained to be. She moves with the grace of the businesswoman she was born to be. She laughs with crackling exuberance in her low, resonant, emphatic voice. She fills the Mapusa fish market with life.
Sashi had a difficult childhood. Born into a poor family in Nerul, she didn't have enough food to eat. “There were five children to feed at home. My father, a daily-wage worker, would purchase 1 kg of rice everyday. Mother used to cook it and distribute it equally. That was our breakfast, lunch and dinner. There were often times when we went to sleep after drinking the pez (rice gruel) because there was not enough rice left to eat,” she recalls.
Little Sashi was eager to learn; she enjoyed going to school. But she had to drop out after Class II because her parents didn't have the money to educate her. But this didn't kill her love for reading and learning new things. “We had a person living in our house who used to ferry people from Nerul to Candolim. I used to help him and in return he would give me one anna. I used to save the money and later purchase books to read,” she explains.
Things changed when she met Janu, a young boy from Saligao who worked as toddy-tapper for a neighbour. It was love at first sight. With the blessings of the family they were soon married. Sashikala shyly admits that one thing that connected them instantly was poverty and hardship. The young couple decided to catch tisreo (clams) and sell them in the market to earn money. So began her journey into the business of buying and selling fish. She was 18 then, eager to earn but ignorant about the tricks of the trade. “I didn't know anything about the trade. I was not born into a family of traditional fishermen. But my neighbour Komal taught me the tricks of the trade. I started out selling one basket of fish at Calangute with her,” she says. Her husband and 10 workers would go out to sea to catch the fish, and Sashi would go to the market and sell it.
Soon she began selling fish in the Mapusa fish market. This was around 20-22 years ago. Now she supplies fish to Sanquelim, Bicholim, Valpoi, Pernem, Arambol, Calangute and Mapusa.
When Sashi started out she put away Rs 20 every day in Syndicate Bank, Mapusa. As business grew, so did her savings. With the money she was able to get her sisters and brother married and also buy fishing canoes, trawlers and tempos. “My father was growing old. He was having health problems. So I decided to help him too. My husband supported my decision,” she says. Suddenly she says philosophically: “Family is the essence of life. We are very close to each other. As children we had seen difficulties and fought together, and in future also we will be united.” She adds that the fisherwomen in Mapusa market are her sisters, her extended family. She is not just their leader but a woman with a magic wand; someone who can solve any problem or dispute; someone they can look up to for help.
Sashikala's growing business has brought about a change in her lifestyle. But as a person, this mother of three sons and two daughters has not changed one bit. “I get up early, at 2 am , and reach Margao market by 3 am to purchase fish. I also buy fish from the Panaji and Vasco markets,” she says.
Currently, Sashi's daily turnover is around Rs 80,000. She employs 20 people -- Hindus, Muslims and Christians -- who all work unitedly. “I don't distinguish between people on the basis of caste or religion, for we are all children of one god. Ultimately it is our thinking that separates us,” she concludes. Her workers get a daily wage of Rs 100-Rs 150, with food. “The food is cooked near the fish market and anyone and everyone who wants to enjoy a good meal is welcome,” says Sashi. She adds: “I know what poverty and hunger are. As a child I often went to bed on an empty stomach. I don't want any child to remain hungry.” Her three sons help her in the business.
Although she now owns two shops in Mapusa, Sashi likes to wander around the fish market, meeting people and swapping stories with them. The fisherwomen of Mapusa market all agree that their day would be boring without her!
Sashi is also the sarpanch of Nerul. “Though I was elected sarpanch I am not interested in politics. The youth in the village insisted that I stand for the 2002 elections. They filled the form and submitted my candidature,” she says. She explains that people wanted her to become sarpanch in order to speed up construction of the Dadeshwar temple, which had been lying incomplete for 15 years. She fulfilled their desire within two years.
The monthly salary Sashi receives as sarpanch is donated either to a temple, a chapel or a church. She strongly believes that politics is not a platform to settle personal scores. “I am not a politician. I don't want propaganda. I don't want to canvass or malign my opponents. I want to work with them for the welfare of my people. I love my people and they trust me. I am always there for them. I have grown up here, spent more than 50 years knowing and understanding life in this village.”
(Preetu Nair is a Reporter with Gomantak Times , Goa . Peter D'Souza is a Sub-Editor, Gomantak Times , Goa )
This article was first published in Gomantak Times, March 8, 2005
On a search for its Woman of the Year, the Goan newspaper Gomantak Times came across the extraordinary Sashikala Govekar, a fisherwoman who breathes life into Mapusa market, and a sarpanch who is much respected in Nerul
She is a mother, a sister, a professional, a provider, a fighter, a struggler, a realist, a radical, a performer, a perfectionist, a lady, a life-giver and a sarpanch. Above all, Sashikala Govekar is a fisherwoman from Mapusa, Goa .
Three months ago, on International Women's Day, Gomantak Times decided to look for a Woman of the Year. The criterion was simple. Obvious publicity-hungry so-called achievers were out. So too were those who were in the continuous race for awards and recognition. Gomantak's Woman of the Year had to conform to the ideals the paper had set for itself: simplicity, hard work, humility and self-sufficiency.
We looked everywhere until finally we found our heroine among lots and lots of fish at the Mapusa fish market.
“…Now you understand just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about, or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud…I'm a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that's me.” These lines from Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman define Sashikala Govekar, called Sashi, perfectly. Sashi speaks in the lilting cadence of the fisherwoman she was trained to be. She moves with the grace of the businesswoman she was born to be. She laughs with crackling exuberance in her low, resonant, emphatic voice. She fills the Mapusa fish market with life.
Sashi had a difficult childhood. Born into a poor family in Nerul, she didn't have enough food to eat. “There were five children to feed at home. My father, a daily-wage worker, would purchase 1 kg of rice everyday. Mother used to cook it and distribute it equally. That was our breakfast, lunch and dinner. There were often times when we went to sleep after drinking the pez (rice gruel) because there was not enough rice left to eat,” she recalls.
Little Sashi was eager to learn; she enjoyed going to school. But she had to drop out after Class II because her parents didn't have the money to educate her. But this didn't kill her love for reading and learning new things. “We had a person living in our house who used to ferry people from Nerul to Candolim. I used to help him and in return he would give me one anna. I used to save the money and later purchase books to read,” she explains.
Things changed when she met Janu, a young boy from Saligao who worked as toddy-tapper for a neighbour. It was love at first sight. With the blessings of the family they were soon married. Sashikala shyly admits that one thing that connected them instantly was poverty and hardship. The young couple decided to catch tisreo (clams) and sell them in the market to earn money. So began her journey into the business of buying and selling fish. She was 18 then, eager to earn but ignorant about the tricks of the trade. “I didn't know anything about the trade. I was not born into a family of traditional fishermen. But my neighbour Komal taught me the tricks of the trade. I started out selling one basket of fish at Calangute with her,” she says. Her husband and 10 workers would go out to sea to catch the fish, and Sashi would go to the market and sell it.
Soon she began selling fish in the Mapusa fish market. This was around 20-22 years ago. Now she supplies fish to Sanquelim, Bicholim, Valpoi, Pernem, Arambol, Calangute and Mapusa.
When Sashi started out she put away Rs 20 every day in Syndicate Bank, Mapusa. As business grew, so did her savings. With the money she was able to get her sisters and brother married and also buy fishing canoes, trawlers and tempos. “My father was growing old. He was having health problems. So I decided to help him too. My husband supported my decision,” she says. Suddenly she says philosophically: “Family is the essence of life. We are very close to each other. As children we had seen difficulties and fought together, and in future also we will be united.” She adds that the fisherwomen in Mapusa market are her sisters, her extended family. She is not just their leader but a woman with a magic wand; someone who can solve any problem or dispute; someone they can look up to for help.
Sashikala's growing business has brought about a change in her lifestyle. But as a person, this mother of three sons and two daughters has not changed one bit. “I get up early, at 2 am , and reach Margao market by 3 am to purchase fish. I also buy fish from the Panaji and Vasco markets,” she says.
Currently, Sashi's daily turnover is around Rs 80,000. She employs 20 people -- Hindus, Muslims and Christians -- who all work unitedly. “I don't distinguish between people on the basis of caste or religion, for we are all children of one god. Ultimately it is our thinking that separates us,” she concludes. Her workers get a daily wage of Rs 100-Rs 150, with food. “The food is cooked near the fish market and anyone and everyone who wants to enjoy a good meal is welcome,” says Sashi. She adds: “I know what poverty and hunger are. As a child I often went to bed on an empty stomach. I don't want any child to remain hungry.” Her three sons help her in the business.
Although she now owns two shops in Mapusa, Sashi likes to wander around the fish market, meeting people and swapping stories with them. The fisherwomen of Mapusa market all agree that their day would be boring without her!
Sashi is also the sarpanch of Nerul. “Though I was elected sarpanch I am not interested in politics. The youth in the village insisted that I stand for the 2002 elections. They filled the form and submitted my candidature,” she says. She explains that people wanted her to become sarpanch in order to speed up construction of the Dadeshwar temple, which had been lying incomplete for 15 years. She fulfilled their desire within two years.
The monthly salary Sashi receives as sarpanch is donated either to a temple, a chapel or a church. She strongly believes that politics is not a platform to settle personal scores. “I am not a politician. I don't want propaganda. I don't want to canvass or malign my opponents. I want to work with them for the welfare of my people. I love my people and they trust me. I am always there for them. I have grown up here, spent more than 50 years knowing and understanding life in this village.”
(Preetu Nair is a Reporter with Gomantak Times , Goa . Peter D'Souza is a Sub-Editor, Gomantak Times , Goa )
This article was first published in Gomantak Times, March 8, 2005
Communal Violence in Goa: Neros in Khaki
Communal Violence in Goa: Neros in Khaki
(Gomantak Times - Weekender, Panjim, March 5, 2006)
Neros in Khaki
The BJP ignites a minor incident and has fuelled
hatred that has snowballed into full blown communal
carnage in Curchorem. As homes and hearts of the
minorities are being torn apart, a hapless and “badly
stretched” police watches over the destruction and
loot. TEAM GT traveled and worked out of the riot
stricken areas of Savordem and Curchorem to get you
the real story and separate falsehood from facts.
Curchorem/Sanvordem:
Goa went into a spin as the communal violence in
Curchorem and Savordem spun out of control and
threatened to engulf the whole state, thankfully here
were no deaths, but a complete failure on the
intelligence machinery and the BJP’s tacit as well as
overt role in fuelling tensions, has scarred Goa’s
psyche.
The communal violence that has rocked the state and
destroyed the communal harmony and law and order
situation in the state could have been averted if the
various arms of government had arrived at a consensus.
Worse still, even as the government machinery failed,
politicians took advantage of the situation, thereby
instigating the crowd and worsening the situation.
Reliable sources reveal that while SP (South) was
against issuing permission to the minority community
to hold a rally because he felt that the situation was
threatening to snowball into a major controversy
between the minority and majority community. However,
the Deputy Magistrate (South) granted permission to
hold the rally. Later Deputy Magistrate did withdraw
the permission to hold the rally , but by then it was
too late and in the unfortunate incident happening
since Friday many from the minority community were
attacked , their shops destroyed, houses ransacked and
vehicles damaged and scorched.
If on Friday, the police with a little force of over
409 personnel failed to handle the mob of 300o plus,
then on Saturday with a force led by SP (South). six
Dy.SP’s and 12 Police Inspector’s stood as mute
spectators as the crowd went on a rampage after being
ignited by the BJP leaders.
A controversial senior office bearer of BJP was heard
saying “It is high time that Hindus and Christians
join hands to kill the Muslims”. Despite all this, no
BJP leaders was arrested or warned for igniting the
crowd and creating communal tension!
S(H)AT(T)ER DAY
• Demonstrators gather at Sanvordem TISK, 60 arrested
for violating Section 144.
• As Chief Minister Rane arrives, gathered people
demand release of 60. Rane warns the people and
leaves.
• Mob turns violent. Police swings into action, fires
in the air. Policemen hurt. Fire services put into
service.
• Governor Jamir arrives .Holds talks with BJP
leadership led by Manohar Parrikar.
• Those arrested are released by 1.30 pm. Mob
continues to loot business establishments and destroy
vehicles.
• Fresh violence erupts. PI Gundu Naik’s pistol
snatched. PSI Devendra Gad also injured, falls
unconscious. His pistol is also taken.
• Mob beats up a constable. He pulls out his service
revolver. Some rounds fired by mistake injuring one
Manohar Naik and another person. Both admitted to Goa
Medical College.
• CISF already posted, three RAF men and CRPF arrived
today.
Six Dy.SP s, about Twelve Police Inspectors should
have controlled it, but the force was inadequate.
Senior officials of the Goa police admit that some of
the damage unleashed on minorities could have been
controlled and quelled since there were Six DySPs and
Eleven Police Inspector’s who were at the spot.
However they admit that the number of men did not add
up. The force was woefully short of what was needed to
stem the violence.
Though no one is admitting this openly, it is clear
that the entire force and the almost non-existent
police machinery was caught napping and were
unprepared for the situation. The BJP and its
affiliates knew only too well that it takes Thirty six
hours for Goa to mobilize optimum personal in a
situation like this and struck without warning.
The Goa Government has claimed credit for not allowing
the violence to get out of hand. In fact Chief
Minister Rane actually termed the situation peaceful,
since there not a single causality. (As our stories
will tell you, this claim is laughable)
Significantly, police officials have completely denied
the BJP propaganda that minority gangs had come from
Bhatkal and Karwar in Karnataka and had brandished
swords and threatened to wipe out the majority
population in Sanvordem. DIG Ujjwal Mishra said that
both the SP and DM (South Goa) confirmed that “in
meeting of the minorities yesterday (Friday) none was
armed or looked like an outsider”.
Mishra admitted that the Goa police was “badly
stretched” and was in no position to control the
sudden but almost premeditated attack on minority
shops, establishments.
Asked why the police fiddled in Curchorem while it
burnt, Mishra speaking to TEAM GT said “We wanted to
save lives. The force was escorting the victims and
was not enough to counter attack and arrest the
attackers.”
Roadway to Hell
Cocktail of Hate: Shaken and Stirred
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
Nearly 50 vehicles destroyed and many burnt, four
petrol pumps damaged, shops looted, 20 houses
ransacked and later burnt. All owned by people from
the minority community and the number is increasing by
the hour.
Curchorem/Savordem: The stillborn silence and
suspicion look that they give you makes you squirm. If
the shameless violence appeared to be greatest mockery
of democracy for the cultured, then for the seven
hundred plus persons from the minority community here,
it had shattered their dreams and vision of communal
harmony in Goa.
As democracy’s most forceful articulation , inevitably
driven by the most primeval passions- hate, made its
way into Curchorem and Savordem from Friday , it has
probably silenced the people of the minority community
forever. They are scared to speak or react. But once
they open up, the scars are evident.
Slowly but with caution they reveal how the nameless,
unreasoning and unjustified terror has paralyzed their
life forever. Though they speak, they refuse to be
quoted for they fear that will be punished by the
majority community for speaking their mind.
“We were planning a silent rally to propagate communal
harmony and human bonding on Friday. But we never
expected things to go out of the hand” said a young
person from the minority community.
Recollecting the events of Friday he said, “we
canceled our rally by 2.30 pm once we were warned by
the Deputy Collector (South) that there was a chance
of a mob attack. But by then many people had gathered
at Curchorem from different parts of Goa. Before we
could think or do anything, a mob appeared and pelted
stones at us. Further, they destroyed our vehicles
and many of us took shelter in the mosque.”
“We are separated from our families. We tool shelter
in the mosque, but we hear that our children were
driven away from the house before the mob damaged and
looted it. We don’t know where and how they are,” said
one elderly man.
What has shocked the minority community is the
unprepardness and inefficiency of the Goa police and
Congress government. “if the police suspected foul
play they should have come prepared. There were hardly
30 or 40 policemen when a mob of more than 1000
policemen attacked us,” said another person.
Congress voters since ages, they swear that they will
never vote for the party again, “We were calling each
and every Congress party minister for help and not a
single person was contactable. We are also human
beings, we also have feelings, and we also want to
live peacefully. Why are politicians playing with out
lives and dreams to fulfill their political
ambitions”, said an elderly man. With tears in his
eyes, he added, “This is not the Goa I knew and loved.
This is not my Goa.”
They rubbished newspaper reports that people from
majority community reacted because many of their
people came from Bhatkal and Hubli in vehicles with
swords and knives. “This is utter lie .If it was true,
we should have also attacked the mob rather than
taking shelter in the mosque. Why was not a single
vehicle with Karnataka registration burnt or
destroyed?
All the vehicles that were destroyed belonged to
people from our community, who are either Goans or
settled here since ages.” And true enough; all the
vehicles destroyed and burnt had Goa registration!
I don’ Know, I just don’t know
The woman who wanted to build the Madrasa is too
shocked at the backlash.
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
Guddemol (Sanvordem)
Fear stared in Samshad Begum Anar Bi’s eyes and
chalked her face. She is absolutely confused and too
shocked to speak. When after lots of coaxing, she does
speak most of what she utters are abrupt sentences,
followed by long stretches of silence and stare.
She starts of with, “I built this structure single
handedly. I did get financial help from my community
members. It was to be a mosque and a madrasa .People
could pray and young children could study Arabic.”
Samshad had built the structure on a government land,
which comes under the Twenty Point Programme. The
structure was renovated recently to start a mosque as
well as a Madrasa (a school for imparting religious
preachings). But on February 24, the Savordem
panchayat issued a notice in which they stated that
the structure is illegal and would be demolished
within seven days. However, she got a stay order from
the Directorate of Panchayats. But when locals learnt
about it, they attacked the building at night and
demolished the structure.
“It was around midnight, when a mob attacked and
destroyed the structure. I don’t know why they
attacked. I just don’t know…,” and her voice withered
away, as if she was again lost in her world of
uncertainty and grief.
This is not the Goa we once knew
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
Curchorem/ Sanvordem
Many locals are shocked and in an utter state of
disbelief. After all, this is not the Goa they love
and value so much. They had always boasted and taken
pride over Goa maintaining its communal harmony,
despite all odds.
But when the houses of minority community were
ransacked and demolished, shops burgled by an angry
mob led by BJP and a few Shiv Sainiks, they were
reduced to mere spectators watching the incidents from
the safety of their houses.
They talk but refuse to be quoted. Said one person
“They can do anything. They have turned a small issue
into a religious issue and are attacking people and
destroying homes. We want to be safe.”
“We are very shocked by the way people have reacted.
They have mixed two issues: one of religion and
another insider-outsider issue. It is really sad and I
feel ashamed,” said another lady.
Meanwhile, an elderly man who observed the incidents
of the day went inside shaking his hands, as the mob
started pelting stones and attacking police. “This is
the darkest and worst day for the Goan society. As few
locals are going about creating a mountain out of a
molehill, they have destroyed the harmony and peace of
the place. I can’t believe this is happening in my
Goa,” he added.
Another person, who was part of the mob on Friday, but
withdrew on Saturday said, “It has now become a
political issue and the politicians are now using us
for their political gains.”
GOA WANTS ANSWERS
• THEY SAY: CM Pratapsing Rane tells a delegation of
minority leaders who seek appointment with him on
Saturday, “I have visited the place in the morning.
Everything is normal and peaceful. You meet me on
Monday”.
BUT: Mr. CM is burning cars, pelting stones,
ransacking petrol pumps and looting sari, footwear
shops and small establishments, injured policemen etc.
signs of peace or violence?
• THEY SAY: Both the people from majority community
and BJP leaders say that the violence occurred because
people from minority community brought people armed
with swords and knives from Bhatkal and Hubli
BUT: If the people from minority community were really
armed, then why did they not retaliate and attack the
mob? On the contrary, many rushed back home and others
took shelter in the mosque at Curchorem.
• THEY SAY: Further there are allegations that they
came in large numbers from Karnataka.
BUT: Not a single vehicle, which was damaged and
destroyed, had Karnataka registration. All vehicles
belonged to people from minority community in Goa.
• They Say: Leader of Opposition, Manohar Parrikar
said, “The influx of migrants in the state cause
social tension and disturb the harmony of the state.”
BUT: The majority of the people whose houses were
attacked, shops burnt and burgled are very much Goans.
And the few others who had migrated from other parts
of country had made Goa their homes and have ration
cards. By calling them outsiders, aren’t you violating
their fundamental right to live and work here?
• THEY SAY: Police claim that they were extremely
short – staffed to control the mob of three thousand
plus.
BUT: It is surprising that with Six Dy SP’s and Twelve
Police Inspectors at the spot, the police failed to
control the mob. But one must admit that the police
were tired and hungry. After all, they are on duty
from Friday evening and the authorities didn’t even
bother to feed them lunch. No wonder, many found it
difficult to handle the mob on empty stomachs.
(Gomantak Times - Weekender, Panjim, March 5, 2006)
Neros in Khaki
The BJP ignites a minor incident and has fuelled
hatred that has snowballed into full blown communal
carnage in Curchorem. As homes and hearts of the
minorities are being torn apart, a hapless and “badly
stretched” police watches over the destruction and
loot. TEAM GT traveled and worked out of the riot
stricken areas of Savordem and Curchorem to get you
the real story and separate falsehood from facts.
Curchorem/Sanvordem:
Goa went into a spin as the communal violence in
Curchorem and Savordem spun out of control and
threatened to engulf the whole state, thankfully here
were no deaths, but a complete failure on the
intelligence machinery and the BJP’s tacit as well as
overt role in fuelling tensions, has scarred Goa’s
psyche.
The communal violence that has rocked the state and
destroyed the communal harmony and law and order
situation in the state could have been averted if the
various arms of government had arrived at a consensus.
Worse still, even as the government machinery failed,
politicians took advantage of the situation, thereby
instigating the crowd and worsening the situation.
Reliable sources reveal that while SP (South) was
against issuing permission to the minority community
to hold a rally because he felt that the situation was
threatening to snowball into a major controversy
between the minority and majority community. However,
the Deputy Magistrate (South) granted permission to
hold the rally. Later Deputy Magistrate did withdraw
the permission to hold the rally , but by then it was
too late and in the unfortunate incident happening
since Friday many from the minority community were
attacked , their shops destroyed, houses ransacked and
vehicles damaged and scorched.
If on Friday, the police with a little force of over
409 personnel failed to handle the mob of 300o plus,
then on Saturday with a force led by SP (South). six
Dy.SP’s and 12 Police Inspector’s stood as mute
spectators as the crowd went on a rampage after being
ignited by the BJP leaders.
A controversial senior office bearer of BJP was heard
saying “It is high time that Hindus and Christians
join hands to kill the Muslims”. Despite all this, no
BJP leaders was arrested or warned for igniting the
crowd and creating communal tension!
S(H)AT(T)ER DAY
• Demonstrators gather at Sanvordem TISK, 60 arrested
for violating Section 144.
• As Chief Minister Rane arrives, gathered people
demand release of 60. Rane warns the people and
leaves.
• Mob turns violent. Police swings into action, fires
in the air. Policemen hurt. Fire services put into
service.
• Governor Jamir arrives .Holds talks with BJP
leadership led by Manohar Parrikar.
• Those arrested are released by 1.30 pm. Mob
continues to loot business establishments and destroy
vehicles.
• Fresh violence erupts. PI Gundu Naik’s pistol
snatched. PSI Devendra Gad also injured, falls
unconscious. His pistol is also taken.
• Mob beats up a constable. He pulls out his service
revolver. Some rounds fired by mistake injuring one
Manohar Naik and another person. Both admitted to Goa
Medical College.
• CISF already posted, three RAF men and CRPF arrived
today.
Six Dy.SP s, about Twelve Police Inspectors should
have controlled it, but the force was inadequate.
Senior officials of the Goa police admit that some of
the damage unleashed on minorities could have been
controlled and quelled since there were Six DySPs and
Eleven Police Inspector’s who were at the spot.
However they admit that the number of men did not add
up. The force was woefully short of what was needed to
stem the violence.
Though no one is admitting this openly, it is clear
that the entire force and the almost non-existent
police machinery was caught napping and were
unprepared for the situation. The BJP and its
affiliates knew only too well that it takes Thirty six
hours for Goa to mobilize optimum personal in a
situation like this and struck without warning.
The Goa Government has claimed credit for not allowing
the violence to get out of hand. In fact Chief
Minister Rane actually termed the situation peaceful,
since there not a single causality. (As our stories
will tell you, this claim is laughable)
Significantly, police officials have completely denied
the BJP propaganda that minority gangs had come from
Bhatkal and Karwar in Karnataka and had brandished
swords and threatened to wipe out the majority
population in Sanvordem. DIG Ujjwal Mishra said that
both the SP and DM (South Goa) confirmed that “in
meeting of the minorities yesterday (Friday) none was
armed or looked like an outsider”.
Mishra admitted that the Goa police was “badly
stretched” and was in no position to control the
sudden but almost premeditated attack on minority
shops, establishments.
Asked why the police fiddled in Curchorem while it
burnt, Mishra speaking to TEAM GT said “We wanted to
save lives. The force was escorting the victims and
was not enough to counter attack and arrest the
attackers.”
Roadway to Hell
Cocktail of Hate: Shaken and Stirred
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
Nearly 50 vehicles destroyed and many burnt, four
petrol pumps damaged, shops looted, 20 houses
ransacked and later burnt. All owned by people from
the minority community and the number is increasing by
the hour.
Curchorem/Savordem: The stillborn silence and
suspicion look that they give you makes you squirm. If
the shameless violence appeared to be greatest mockery
of democracy for the cultured, then for the seven
hundred plus persons from the minority community here,
it had shattered their dreams and vision of communal
harmony in Goa.
As democracy’s most forceful articulation , inevitably
driven by the most primeval passions- hate, made its
way into Curchorem and Savordem from Friday , it has
probably silenced the people of the minority community
forever. They are scared to speak or react. But once
they open up, the scars are evident.
Slowly but with caution they reveal how the nameless,
unreasoning and unjustified terror has paralyzed their
life forever. Though they speak, they refuse to be
quoted for they fear that will be punished by the
majority community for speaking their mind.
“We were planning a silent rally to propagate communal
harmony and human bonding on Friday. But we never
expected things to go out of the hand” said a young
person from the minority community.
Recollecting the events of Friday he said, “we
canceled our rally by 2.30 pm once we were warned by
the Deputy Collector (South) that there was a chance
of a mob attack. But by then many people had gathered
at Curchorem from different parts of Goa. Before we
could think or do anything, a mob appeared and pelted
stones at us. Further, they destroyed our vehicles
and many of us took shelter in the mosque.”
“We are separated from our families. We tool shelter
in the mosque, but we hear that our children were
driven away from the house before the mob damaged and
looted it. We don’t know where and how they are,” said
one elderly man.
What has shocked the minority community is the
unprepardness and inefficiency of the Goa police and
Congress government. “if the police suspected foul
play they should have come prepared. There were hardly
30 or 40 policemen when a mob of more than 1000
policemen attacked us,” said another person.
Congress voters since ages, they swear that they will
never vote for the party again, “We were calling each
and every Congress party minister for help and not a
single person was contactable. We are also human
beings, we also have feelings, and we also want to
live peacefully. Why are politicians playing with out
lives and dreams to fulfill their political
ambitions”, said an elderly man. With tears in his
eyes, he added, “This is not the Goa I knew and loved.
This is not my Goa.”
They rubbished newspaper reports that people from
majority community reacted because many of their
people came from Bhatkal and Hubli in vehicles with
swords and knives. “This is utter lie .If it was true,
we should have also attacked the mob rather than
taking shelter in the mosque. Why was not a single
vehicle with Karnataka registration burnt or
destroyed?
All the vehicles that were destroyed belonged to
people from our community, who are either Goans or
settled here since ages.” And true enough; all the
vehicles destroyed and burnt had Goa registration!
I don’ Know, I just don’t know
The woman who wanted to build the Madrasa is too
shocked at the backlash.
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
Guddemol (Sanvordem)
Fear stared in Samshad Begum Anar Bi’s eyes and
chalked her face. She is absolutely confused and too
shocked to speak. When after lots of coaxing, she does
speak most of what she utters are abrupt sentences,
followed by long stretches of silence and stare.
She starts of with, “I built this structure single
handedly. I did get financial help from my community
members. It was to be a mosque and a madrasa .People
could pray and young children could study Arabic.”
Samshad had built the structure on a government land,
which comes under the Twenty Point Programme. The
structure was renovated recently to start a mosque as
well as a Madrasa (a school for imparting religious
preachings). But on February 24, the Savordem
panchayat issued a notice in which they stated that
the structure is illegal and would be demolished
within seven days. However, she got a stay order from
the Directorate of Panchayats. But when locals learnt
about it, they attacked the building at night and
demolished the structure.
“It was around midnight, when a mob attacked and
destroyed the structure. I don’t know why they
attacked. I just don’t know…,” and her voice withered
away, as if she was again lost in her world of
uncertainty and grief.
This is not the Goa we once knew
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
Curchorem/ Sanvordem
Many locals are shocked and in an utter state of
disbelief. After all, this is not the Goa they love
and value so much. They had always boasted and taken
pride over Goa maintaining its communal harmony,
despite all odds.
But when the houses of minority community were
ransacked and demolished, shops burgled by an angry
mob led by BJP and a few Shiv Sainiks, they were
reduced to mere spectators watching the incidents from
the safety of their houses.
They talk but refuse to be quoted. Said one person
“They can do anything. They have turned a small issue
into a religious issue and are attacking people and
destroying homes. We want to be safe.”
“We are very shocked by the way people have reacted.
They have mixed two issues: one of religion and
another insider-outsider issue. It is really sad and I
feel ashamed,” said another lady.
Meanwhile, an elderly man who observed the incidents
of the day went inside shaking his hands, as the mob
started pelting stones and attacking police. “This is
the darkest and worst day for the Goan society. As few
locals are going about creating a mountain out of a
molehill, they have destroyed the harmony and peace of
the place. I can’t believe this is happening in my
Goa,” he added.
Another person, who was part of the mob on Friday, but
withdrew on Saturday said, “It has now become a
political issue and the politicians are now using us
for their political gains.”
GOA WANTS ANSWERS
• THEY SAY: CM Pratapsing Rane tells a delegation of
minority leaders who seek appointment with him on
Saturday, “I have visited the place in the morning.
Everything is normal and peaceful. You meet me on
Monday”.
BUT: Mr. CM is burning cars, pelting stones,
ransacking petrol pumps and looting sari, footwear
shops and small establishments, injured policemen etc.
signs of peace or violence?
• THEY SAY: Both the people from majority community
and BJP leaders say that the violence occurred because
people from minority community brought people armed
with swords and knives from Bhatkal and Hubli
BUT: If the people from minority community were really
armed, then why did they not retaliate and attack the
mob? On the contrary, many rushed back home and others
took shelter in the mosque at Curchorem.
• THEY SAY: Further there are allegations that they
came in large numbers from Karnataka.
BUT: Not a single vehicle, which was damaged and
destroyed, had Karnataka registration. All vehicles
belonged to people from minority community in Goa.
• They Say: Leader of Opposition, Manohar Parrikar
said, “The influx of migrants in the state cause
social tension and disturb the harmony of the state.”
BUT: The majority of the people whose houses were
attacked, shops burnt and burgled are very much Goans.
And the few others who had migrated from other parts
of country had made Goa their homes and have ration
cards. By calling them outsiders, aren’t you violating
their fundamental right to live and work here?
• THEY SAY: Police claim that they were extremely
short – staffed to control the mob of three thousand
plus.
BUT: It is surprising that with Six Dy SP’s and Twelve
Police Inspectors at the spot, the police failed to
control the mob. But one must admit that the police
were tired and hungry. After all, they are on duty
from Friday evening and the authorities didn’t even
bother to feed them lunch. No wonder, many found it
difficult to handle the mob on empty stomachs.
RANE AND PARRIKAR ARE BOTH CRIMINALS' – Victims of Sanvordem
RANE AND PARRIKAR ARE BOTH CRIMINALS' – Victims of
Sanvordem
(Article appeared in Gomantak Times, Panjim edition
dated March 6,2005)
When Godhra happened, Gujarat had a BJP government.
Goa is ruled by a party Muslims trusted blindly
till
they were blinded last Friday.
Does anyone care to listen to the voice of the Muslims
in Sanvordem and Curchorem? This is their verdict. You
want to know why? Here's why. Nighar Agha was asked to
leave her rented house by her landlady cos she was
forced to by Hindu mobs. She ran away with her
4-year-old daughter with a heart problem. Seeing her
run, the mob snatched away the medicine bag of her
daughter. She could have died
running from the mob.
Noorjah Sheikh broke her back but managed to cover the
mouths of her children so that they didn't shout,
Sheikh Rafiq locked himself and his family, but the
mob came, broke his garage and damaged both his cars
and 2 of his shops. The Sheikh brothers screamed out
to the police to help when eight of their shops were
ransacked and looted. Not a single policeman came
forward.
We looked for these victims in Sanvordem, Curchorem,
Margao and at the Margao railway station to present
voices that would have otherwise been numbed
By Preetu Nair
preetu_nair at gomantaktimes.com
MARGAO/SANVORDEM /CURCHOREM: It was the greatest test
of endurance for Nighar Agha last Friday. The images
of the riots will haunt her forever. Living alone in a
rented house at Sanvordem, Nigar has three little
kids. Her husband is in the Gulf and her four-year-old
daughter has a heart problem and is easily susceptible
to infection.
"On that unfortunate day, my daughter got an eye
infection and fever. I was scared and worried about
her health. Though I wanted to take her to the
hospital, I couldn't and her condition worsened. In
the morning, our landlady, a Catholic, came to my
help. She took my daughter to the hospital. But when
she returned, she advised me to vacate the house as
people from the majority community in the area were
threatening to attack us," she recollects and pauses.
Taking a deep breath, she again continues with the
horrors she underwent on Saturday afternoon. "Along
with some boys, who had taken shelter in my house, and
children, I walked to my brothers' house as no one was
ready to give us lift and it was impossible for my
brothers to enter Sanvordem. Four boys lifted my ill
daughter and we walked for nearly 6 km, when a mob
surrounded us and abused us. One man snatched the bag
containing my daughter's medicine and threw it in the
field. They beat two boys and said, "We will ensure
that you people are not able to raise your head for
atleast another 10 years". When I pleaded and cried,
they allowed us to go."
57-year-old Noorjah Sheikh still squirms in pain. "We
were scared and helpless. When we heard that mobs were
attacking our homes, we armed ourselves with the
masalas and utensils. But when they started pelting
stones and shouting slogans we got scared. So I rushed
upstairs in the dark (they didn't switch on the light
that night) to collect some sticks but lost my balance
and hurt my back and neck. Though in pain, I didn't
scream, lest the mob heard my cry. I was scared for
the lives of the young children at home. I was really
scared and helpless," she reveals. She admits that it
is shocking that majority of people from the mob were
people whom they knew, if not by name, but atleast by
face.
Revealing his tale of woes, Sheikh Rafiq from
Sanvordem reveals that he was at the mosque when he
got message that homes and shops of minority community
were being ransacked. So he rushed home to be with his
family of 10. "I locked the door from outside. We
switched off the lights and were too scared to even
breathe. Around 8 pm, we heard noises and a mob of
youngsters approaching our home with torch, shouting
"Jai Mahadev". They broke open the garage and
destroyed two cars, while I stood near my window as a
hapless and speechless spectator. We were so scared
that women held the mouth of our children, lest they
make any noise," he revealed.
Questioning the role of police in the communal riot,
he said, "I called DIG Ujjwal Mishra for help. He
promised to send help, but then cut the line without
taking the address. The police never came. Late in the
night, we along with the women and children in our
neighborhood (around 20 persons) escaped in their
Maruti van to my brother's house in Margao."
Sheikh Brothers, who own nearly 10 shops in Sanvordem
reveal that eight of their shops were completely
destroyed by the mob, homes attacked and vehicles
destroyed and burnt. "Everything happened before the
police and they stood their helpless as if unwilling
to help us. All pleas for help fell on deaf ears,"
they added.
Thankfully, an eye for an eye is not the motto of the
minority community, who allege that just as Nero
fiddled while Rome burned, in the same manner, Rane
was busy attending functions even as Curchorem and
Sanvordem was burning. "It is Congress government and
it was the ruling government's job to protect us. In
Congress raj if this is our fate, then what is the use
of having Rane as the CM? More than BJP and RSS, we
blame Rane for the communal tension," alleged Ussein
Gazi.
* People tried contacting DIG Ujjwal Mishra on Friday
and Saturday for help. He promised help but never
delivered.
When they contacted CM Rane when mob was burning their
cars and attacking homes, he said everything is under
control. Later, he cut their calls abruptly.
All Congress MLAs and MP's had only one answer, we
have called DIG.
* During a meeting at Margao, the minority community
leaders criticized Rane and asked Digambar Kamat (who
was present there) what he would do for them? He was
absolutely silent.
***********************
WAITING TO CATCH THE TRAIN TO FREEDOM!
BY PREETU NAIR
Preetu_nair at gomantaktimes.com
MARGAO STATION: In March 2002, Gujarat burnt as
bloodthirsty mobs attacked homes and killed innocent
people. In March 2005, Goa is burning. Hundreds of
people from the minority community are rendered
homeless and jobless. The politics of hate is slowly
threatening to erupt the fabric of a harmonious
society and robust democracy that Goans have always
been proud of.
Scared that people who wrongly justified the burning
of vehicles, destruction of shops and homes, all owned
by the Minority community, by saying that armed people
came from Bhatkal and Hubli, would also harm them
without any rhyme or reason, they are leaving the
state, which was their home for long.
At 3.25 pm, the Margao railway station is packed with
women in burkha, their children and men, all waiting
to board Jan Shatabdi express bound for Mangalore.
Somehow their scared and agonized looks were more
chilling than the event itself. They were scared to
talk and appeared withdrawn. There was shock and gloom
prevailing all over.
Well, they can't be really blamed, after all their
homes were destroyed by the very people they knew.
They also never thought that the homes of friends and
neighbours would be shut for them during the riots due
to fear of a backlash.
As violence flared up in Curchorem and Sanvordem and
politicians slowly made it an insider-outsider issue
(to quote Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar: Heavy
influx of migrants to the state was the cause of
creation of social tension and disharmony), it has
left a feeling of fear and mistrust. "We have been
living in Goa since last 20 years and had a small shop
at Curchorem. The mob dragged us out of the house and
burnt our house. They destroyed our shop. We came to
Goa to earn a living, not to spread communal
disharmony. It hurts that even after living here for
20 years, we still can't call Goa our home," said a
person who was boarding the train to go to his
hometown Bhatkal, who didn't wish to be named.
Just as the train arrived at the platform at 3.32 pm,
they eagerly boarded the train. Once in the train,
they removed the burkha, breathed some fresh air and
smiled in relief as they set out on a new journey.
Sanvordem
(Article appeared in Gomantak Times, Panjim edition
dated March 6,2005)
When Godhra happened, Gujarat had a BJP government.
Goa is ruled by a party Muslims trusted blindly
till
they were blinded last Friday.
Does anyone care to listen to the voice of the Muslims
in Sanvordem and Curchorem? This is their verdict. You
want to know why? Here's why. Nighar Agha was asked to
leave her rented house by her landlady cos she was
forced to by Hindu mobs. She ran away with her
4-year-old daughter with a heart problem. Seeing her
run, the mob snatched away the medicine bag of her
daughter. She could have died
running from the mob.
Noorjah Sheikh broke her back but managed to cover the
mouths of her children so that they didn't shout,
Sheikh Rafiq locked himself and his family, but the
mob came, broke his garage and damaged both his cars
and 2 of his shops. The Sheikh brothers screamed out
to the police to help when eight of their shops were
ransacked and looted. Not a single policeman came
forward.
We looked for these victims in Sanvordem, Curchorem,
Margao and at the Margao railway station to present
voices that would have otherwise been numbed
By Preetu Nair
preetu_nair at gomantaktimes.com
MARGAO/SANVORDEM /CURCHOREM: It was the greatest test
of endurance for Nighar Agha last Friday. The images
of the riots will haunt her forever. Living alone in a
rented house at Sanvordem, Nigar has three little
kids. Her husband is in the Gulf and her four-year-old
daughter has a heart problem and is easily susceptible
to infection.
"On that unfortunate day, my daughter got an eye
infection and fever. I was scared and worried about
her health. Though I wanted to take her to the
hospital, I couldn't and her condition worsened. In
the morning, our landlady, a Catholic, came to my
help. She took my daughter to the hospital. But when
she returned, she advised me to vacate the house as
people from the majority community in the area were
threatening to attack us," she recollects and pauses.
Taking a deep breath, she again continues with the
horrors she underwent on Saturday afternoon. "Along
with some boys, who had taken shelter in my house, and
children, I walked to my brothers' house as no one was
ready to give us lift and it was impossible for my
brothers to enter Sanvordem. Four boys lifted my ill
daughter and we walked for nearly 6 km, when a mob
surrounded us and abused us. One man snatched the bag
containing my daughter's medicine and threw it in the
field. They beat two boys and said, "We will ensure
that you people are not able to raise your head for
atleast another 10 years". When I pleaded and cried,
they allowed us to go."
57-year-old Noorjah Sheikh still squirms in pain. "We
were scared and helpless. When we heard that mobs were
attacking our homes, we armed ourselves with the
masalas and utensils. But when they started pelting
stones and shouting slogans we got scared. So I rushed
upstairs in the dark (they didn't switch on the light
that night) to collect some sticks but lost my balance
and hurt my back and neck. Though in pain, I didn't
scream, lest the mob heard my cry. I was scared for
the lives of the young children at home. I was really
scared and helpless," she reveals. She admits that it
is shocking that majority of people from the mob were
people whom they knew, if not by name, but atleast by
face.
Revealing his tale of woes, Sheikh Rafiq from
Sanvordem reveals that he was at the mosque when he
got message that homes and shops of minority community
were being ransacked. So he rushed home to be with his
family of 10. "I locked the door from outside. We
switched off the lights and were too scared to even
breathe. Around 8 pm, we heard noises and a mob of
youngsters approaching our home with torch, shouting
"Jai Mahadev". They broke open the garage and
destroyed two cars, while I stood near my window as a
hapless and speechless spectator. We were so scared
that women held the mouth of our children, lest they
make any noise," he revealed.
Questioning the role of police in the communal riot,
he said, "I called DIG Ujjwal Mishra for help. He
promised to send help, but then cut the line without
taking the address. The police never came. Late in the
night, we along with the women and children in our
neighborhood (around 20 persons) escaped in their
Maruti van to my brother's house in Margao."
Sheikh Brothers, who own nearly 10 shops in Sanvordem
reveal that eight of their shops were completely
destroyed by the mob, homes attacked and vehicles
destroyed and burnt. "Everything happened before the
police and they stood their helpless as if unwilling
to help us. All pleas for help fell on deaf ears,"
they added.
Thankfully, an eye for an eye is not the motto of the
minority community, who allege that just as Nero
fiddled while Rome burned, in the same manner, Rane
was busy attending functions even as Curchorem and
Sanvordem was burning. "It is Congress government and
it was the ruling government's job to protect us. In
Congress raj if this is our fate, then what is the use
of having Rane as the CM? More than BJP and RSS, we
blame Rane for the communal tension," alleged Ussein
Gazi.
* People tried contacting DIG Ujjwal Mishra on Friday
and Saturday for help. He promised help but never
delivered.
When they contacted CM Rane when mob was burning their
cars and attacking homes, he said everything is under
control. Later, he cut their calls abruptly.
All Congress MLAs and MP's had only one answer, we
have called DIG.
* During a meeting at Margao, the minority community
leaders criticized Rane and asked Digambar Kamat (who
was present there) what he would do for them? He was
absolutely silent.
***********************
WAITING TO CATCH THE TRAIN TO FREEDOM!
BY PREETU NAIR
Preetu_nair at gomantaktimes.com
MARGAO STATION: In March 2002, Gujarat burnt as
bloodthirsty mobs attacked homes and killed innocent
people. In March 2005, Goa is burning. Hundreds of
people from the minority community are rendered
homeless and jobless. The politics of hate is slowly
threatening to erupt the fabric of a harmonious
society and robust democracy that Goans have always
been proud of.
Scared that people who wrongly justified the burning
of vehicles, destruction of shops and homes, all owned
by the Minority community, by saying that armed people
came from Bhatkal and Hubli, would also harm them
without any rhyme or reason, they are leaving the
state, which was their home for long.
At 3.25 pm, the Margao railway station is packed with
women in burkha, their children and men, all waiting
to board Jan Shatabdi express bound for Mangalore.
Somehow their scared and agonized looks were more
chilling than the event itself. They were scared to
talk and appeared withdrawn. There was shock and gloom
prevailing all over.
Well, they can't be really blamed, after all their
homes were destroyed by the very people they knew.
They also never thought that the homes of friends and
neighbours would be shut for them during the riots due
to fear of a backlash.
As violence flared up in Curchorem and Sanvordem and
politicians slowly made it an insider-outsider issue
(to quote Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar: Heavy
influx of migrants to the state was the cause of
creation of social tension and disharmony), it has
left a feeling of fear and mistrust. "We have been
living in Goa since last 20 years and had a small shop
at Curchorem. The mob dragged us out of the house and
burnt our house. They destroyed our shop. We came to
Goa to earn a living, not to spread communal
disharmony. It hurts that even after living here for
20 years, we still can't call Goa our home," said a
person who was boarding the train to go to his
hometown Bhatkal, who didn't wish to be named.
Just as the train arrived at the platform at 3.32 pm,
they eagerly boarded the train. Once in the train,
they removed the burkha, breathed some fresh air and
smiled in relief as they set out on a new journey.
Neros in Khaki
Neros in Khaki
(This article appeared in GT- Weekender, Panjim, March
5, 2006)
The BJP ignites a minor incident and has fuelled
hatred that has snowballed into full blown communal
carnage in Curchorem. As homes and hearts of the
minorities are being torn apart, a hapless and “badly
stretched” police watches over the destruction and
loot. TEAM GT traveled and worked out of the riot
stricken areas of Savordem and Curchorem to get you
the real story and separate falsehood from facts.
Curchorem/Sanvordem:
Goa went into a spin as the communal violence in
Curchorem and Savordem spun out of control and
threatened to engulf the whole state, thankfully here
were no deaths, but a complete failure on the
intelligence machinery and the BJP’s tacit as well as
overt role in fuelling tensions, has scarred Goa’s
psyche.
The communal violence that has rocked the state and
destroyed the communal harmony and law and order
situation in the state could have been averted if the
various arms of government had arrived at a consensus.
Worse still, even as the government machinery failed,
politicians took advantage of the situation, thereby
instigating the crowd and worsening the situation.
Reliable sources reveal that while SP (South) was
against issuing permission to the minority community
to hold a rally because he felt that the situation was
threatening to snowball into a major controversy
between the minority and majority community. However,
the Deputy Magistrate (South) granted permission to
hold the rally. Later Deputy Magistrate did withdraw
the permission to hold the rally , but by then it was
too late and in the unfortunate incident happening
since Friday many from the minority community were
attacked , their shops destroyed, houses ransacked and
vehicles damaged and scorched.
If on Friday, the police with a little force of over
409 personnel failed to handle the mob of 300o plus,
then on Saturday with a force led by SP (South). six
Dy.SP’s and 12 Police Inspector’s stood as mute
spectators as the crowd went on a rampage after being
ignited by the BJP leaders.
A controversial senior office bearer of BJP was heard
saying “It is high time that Hindus and Christians
join hands to kill the Muslims”. Despite all this, no
BJP leaders was arrested or warned for igniting the
crowd and creating communal tension!
S(H)AT(T)ER DAY
• Demonstrators gather at Sanvordem TISK, 60 arrested
for violating Section 144.
• As Chief Minister Rane arrives, gathered people
demand release of 60. Rane warns the people and
leaves.
• Mob turns violent. Police swings into action, fires
in the air. Policemen hurt. Fire services put into
service.
• Governor Jamir arrives .Holds talks with BJP
leadership led by Manohar Parrikar.
• Those arrested are released by 1.30 pm. Mob
continues to loot business establishments and destroy
vehicles.
• Fresh violence erupts. PI Gundu Naik’s pistol
snatched. PSI Devendra Gad also injured, falls
unconscious. His pistol is also taken.
• Mob beats up a constable. He pulls out his service
revolver. Some rounds fired by mistake injuring one
Manohar Naik and another person. Both admitted to Goa
Medical College.
• CISF already posted, three RAF men and CRPF arrived
today.
Six Dy.SP s, about Twelve Police Inspectors should
have controlled it, but the force was inadequate.
Senior officials of the Goa police admit that some of
the damage unleashed on minorities could have been
controlled and quelled since there were Six DySPs and
Eleven Police Inspector’s who were at the spot.
However they admit that the number of men did not add
up. The force was woefully short of what was needed to
stem the violence.
Though no one is admitting this openly, it is clear
that the entire force and the almost non-existent
police machinery was caught napping and were
unprepared for the situation. The BJP and its
affiliates knew only too well that it takes Thirty six
hours for Goa to mobilize optimum personal in a
situation like this and struck without warning.
The Goa Government has claimed credit for not allowing
the violence to get out of hand. In fact Chief
Minister Rane actually termed the situation peaceful,
since there not a single causality. (As our stories
will tell you, this claim is laughable)
Significantly, police officials have completely denied
the BJP propaganda that minority gangs had come from
Bhatkal and Karwar in Karnataka and had brandished
swords and threatened to wipe out the majority
population in Sanvordem. DIG Ujjwal Mishra said that
both the SP and DM (South Goa) confirmed that “in
meeting of the minorities yesterday (Friday) none was
armed or looked like an outsider”.
Mishra admitted that the Goa police was “badly
stretched” and was in no position to control the
sudden but almost premeditated attack on minority
shops, establishments.
Asked why the police fiddled in Curchorem while it
burnt, Mishra speaking to TEAM GT said “We wanted to
save lives. The force was escorting the victims and
was not enough to counter attack and arrest the
attackers.”
Roadway to Hell
Cocktail of Hate: Shaken and Stirred
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters at gomantaktimes.com
Nearly 50 vehicles destroyed and many burnt, four
petrol pumps damaged, shops looted, 20 houses
ransacked and later burnt. All owned by people from
the minority community and the number is increasing by
the hour.
Curchorem/Savordem: The stillborn silence and
suspicion look that they give you makes you squirm. If
the shameless violence appeared to be greatest mockery
of democracy for the cultured, then for the seven
hundred plus persons from the minority community here,
it had shattered their dreams and vision of communal
harmony in Goa.
As democracy’s most forceful articulation , inevitably
driven by the most primeval passions- hate, made its
way into Curchorem and Savordem from Friday , it has
probably silenced the people of the minority community
forever. They are scared to speak or react. But once
they open up, the scars are evident.
Slowly but with caution they reveal how the nameless,
unreasoning and unjustified terror has paralyzed their
life forever. Though they speak, they refuse to be
quoted for they fear that will be punished by the
majority community for speaking their mind.
“We were planning a silent rally to propagate communal
harmony and human bonding on Friday. But we never
expected things to go out of the hand” said a young
person from the minority community.
Recollecting the events of Friday he said, “we
canceled our rally by 2.30 pm once we were warned by
the Deputy Collector (South) that there was a chance
of a mob attack. But by then many people had gathered
at Curchorem from different parts of Goa. Before we
could think or do anything, a mob appeared and pelted
stones at us. Further, they destroyed our vehicles
and many of us took shelter in the mosque.”
“We are separated from our families. We tool shelter
in the mosque, but we hear that our children were
driven away from the house before the mob damaged and
looted it. We don’t know where and how they are,” said
one elderly man.
What has shocked the minority community is the
unprepardness and inefficiency of the Goa police and
Congress government. “if the police suspected foul
play they should have come prepared. There were hardly
30 or 40 policemen when a mob of more than 1000
policemen attacked us,” said another person.
Congress voters since ages, they swear that they will
never vote for the party again, “We were calling each
and every Congress party minister for help and not a
single person was contactable. We are also human
beings, we also have feelings, and we also want to
live peacefully. Why are politicians playing with out
lives and dreams to fulfill their political
ambitions”, said an elderly man. With tears in his
eyes, he added, “This is not the Goa I knew and loved.
This is not my Goa.”
They rubbished newspaper reports that people from
majority community reacted because many of their
people came from Bhatkal and Hubli in vehicles with
swords and knives. “This is utter lie .If it was true,
we should have also attacked the mob rather than
taking shelter in the mosque. Why was not a single
vehicle with Karnataka registration burnt or
destroyed?
All the vehicles that were destroyed belonged to
people from our community, who are either Goans or
settled here since ages.” And true enough; all the
vehicles destroyed and burnt had Goa registration!
I don’ Know, I just don’t know
The woman who wanted to build the Madrasa is too
shocked at the backlash.
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters at gomantaktimes.com
Guddemol (Sanvordem)
Fear stared in Samshad Begum Anar Bi’s eyes and
chalked her face. She is absolutely confused and too
shocked to speak. When after lots of coaxing, she does
speak most of what she utters are abrupt sentences,
followed by long stretches of silence and stare.
She starts of with, “I built this structure single
handedly. I did get financial help from my community
members. It was to be a mosque and a madrasa .People
could pray and young children could study Arabic.”
Samshad had built the structure on a government land,
which comes under the Twenty Point Programme. The
structure was renovated recently to start a mosque as
well as a Madrasa (a school for imparting religious
preachings). But on February 24, the Savordem
panchayat issued a notice in which they stated that
the structure is illegal and would be demolished
within seven days. However, she got a stay order from
the Directorate of Panchayats. But when locals learnt
about it, they attacked the building at night and
demolished the structure.
“It was around midnight, when a mob attacked and
destroyed the structure. I don’t know why they
attacked. I just don’t know
,” and her voice withered
away, as if she was again lost in her world of
uncertainty and grief.
This is not the Goa we once knew
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters at gomantaktimes.com
Curchorem/ Sanvordem
Many locals are shocked and in an utter state of
disbelief. After all, this is not the Goa they love
and value so much. They had always boasted and taken
pride over Goa maintaining its communal harmony,
despite all odds.
But when the houses of minority community were
ransacked and demolished, shops burgled by an angry
mob led by BJP and a few Shiv Sainiks, they were
reduced to mere spectators watching the incidents from
the safety of their houses.
They talk but refuse to be quoted. Said one person
“They can do anything. They have turned a small issue
into a religious issue and are attacking people and
destroying homes. We want to be safe.”
“We are very shocked by the way people have reacted.
They have mixed two issues: one of religion and
another insider-outsider issue. It is really sad and I
feel ashamed,” said another lady.
Meanwhile, an elderly man who observed the incidents
of the day went inside shaking his hands, as the mob
started pelting stones and attacking police. “This is
the darkest and worst day for the Goan society. As few
locals are going about creating a mountain out of a
molehill, they have destroyed the harmony and peace of
the place. I can’t believe this is happening in my
Goa,” he added.
Another person, who was part of the mob on Friday, but
withdrew on Saturday said, “It has now become a
political issue and the politicians are now using us
for their political gains.”
GOA WANTS ANSWERS
• THEY SAY: CM Pratapsing Rane tells a delegation of
minority leaders who seek appointment with him on
Saturday, “I have visited the place in the morning.
Everything is normal and peaceful. You meet me on
Monday”.
BUT: Mr. CM is burning cars, pelting stones,
ransacking petrol pumps and looting sari, footwear
shops and small establishments, injured policemen etc.
signs of peace or violence?
• THEY SAY: Both the people from majority community
and BJP leaders say that the violence occurred because
people from minority community brought people armed
with swords and knives from Bhatkal and Hubli
BUT: If the people from minority community were really
armed, then why did they not retaliate and attack the
mob? On the contrary, many rushed back home and others
took shelter in the mosque at Curchorem.
• THEY SAY: Further there are allegations that they
came in large numbers from Karnataka.
BUT: Not a single vehicle, which was damaged and
destroyed, had Karnataka registration. All vehicles
belonged to people from minority community in Goa.
• They Say: Leader of Opposition, Manohar Parrikar
said, “The influx of migrants in the state cause
social tension and disturb the harmony of the state.”
BUT: The majority of the people whose houses were
attacked, shops burnt and burgled are very much Goans.
And the few others who had migrated from other parts
of country had made Goa their homes and have ration
cards. By calling them outsiders, aren’t you violating
their fundamental right to live and work here?
• THEY SAY: Police claim that they were extremely
short – staffed to control the mob of three thousand
plus.
BUT: It is surprising that with Six Dy SP’s and Twelve
Police Inspectors at the spot, the police failed to
control the mob. But one must admit that the police
were tired and hungry. After all, they are on duty
from Friday evening and the authorities didn’t even
bother to feed them lunch. No wonder, many found it
difficult to handle the mob on empty stomachs.
(This article appeared in GT- Weekender, Panjim, March
5, 2006)
The BJP ignites a minor incident and has fuelled
hatred that has snowballed into full blown communal
carnage in Curchorem. As homes and hearts of the
minorities are being torn apart, a hapless and “badly
stretched” police watches over the destruction and
loot. TEAM GT traveled and worked out of the riot
stricken areas of Savordem and Curchorem to get you
the real story and separate falsehood from facts.
Curchorem/Sanvordem:
Goa went into a spin as the communal violence in
Curchorem and Savordem spun out of control and
threatened to engulf the whole state, thankfully here
were no deaths, but a complete failure on the
intelligence machinery and the BJP’s tacit as well as
overt role in fuelling tensions, has scarred Goa’s
psyche.
The communal violence that has rocked the state and
destroyed the communal harmony and law and order
situation in the state could have been averted if the
various arms of government had arrived at a consensus.
Worse still, even as the government machinery failed,
politicians took advantage of the situation, thereby
instigating the crowd and worsening the situation.
Reliable sources reveal that while SP (South) was
against issuing permission to the minority community
to hold a rally because he felt that the situation was
threatening to snowball into a major controversy
between the minority and majority community. However,
the Deputy Magistrate (South) granted permission to
hold the rally. Later Deputy Magistrate did withdraw
the permission to hold the rally , but by then it was
too late and in the unfortunate incident happening
since Friday many from the minority community were
attacked , their shops destroyed, houses ransacked and
vehicles damaged and scorched.
If on Friday, the police with a little force of over
409 personnel failed to handle the mob of 300o plus,
then on Saturday with a force led by SP (South). six
Dy.SP’s and 12 Police Inspector’s stood as mute
spectators as the crowd went on a rampage after being
ignited by the BJP leaders.
A controversial senior office bearer of BJP was heard
saying “It is high time that Hindus and Christians
join hands to kill the Muslims”. Despite all this, no
BJP leaders was arrested or warned for igniting the
crowd and creating communal tension!
S(H)AT(T)ER DAY
• Demonstrators gather at Sanvordem TISK, 60 arrested
for violating Section 144.
• As Chief Minister Rane arrives, gathered people
demand release of 60. Rane warns the people and
leaves.
• Mob turns violent. Police swings into action, fires
in the air. Policemen hurt. Fire services put into
service.
• Governor Jamir arrives .Holds talks with BJP
leadership led by Manohar Parrikar.
• Those arrested are released by 1.30 pm. Mob
continues to loot business establishments and destroy
vehicles.
• Fresh violence erupts. PI Gundu Naik’s pistol
snatched. PSI Devendra Gad also injured, falls
unconscious. His pistol is also taken.
• Mob beats up a constable. He pulls out his service
revolver. Some rounds fired by mistake injuring one
Manohar Naik and another person. Both admitted to Goa
Medical College.
• CISF already posted, three RAF men and CRPF arrived
today.
Six Dy.SP s, about Twelve Police Inspectors should
have controlled it, but the force was inadequate.
Senior officials of the Goa police admit that some of
the damage unleashed on minorities could have been
controlled and quelled since there were Six DySPs and
Eleven Police Inspector’s who were at the spot.
However they admit that the number of men did not add
up. The force was woefully short of what was needed to
stem the violence.
Though no one is admitting this openly, it is clear
that the entire force and the almost non-existent
police machinery was caught napping and were
unprepared for the situation. The BJP and its
affiliates knew only too well that it takes Thirty six
hours for Goa to mobilize optimum personal in a
situation like this and struck without warning.
The Goa Government has claimed credit for not allowing
the violence to get out of hand. In fact Chief
Minister Rane actually termed the situation peaceful,
since there not a single causality. (As our stories
will tell you, this claim is laughable)
Significantly, police officials have completely denied
the BJP propaganda that minority gangs had come from
Bhatkal and Karwar in Karnataka and had brandished
swords and threatened to wipe out the majority
population in Sanvordem. DIG Ujjwal Mishra said that
both the SP and DM (South Goa) confirmed that “in
meeting of the minorities yesterday (Friday) none was
armed or looked like an outsider”.
Mishra admitted that the Goa police was “badly
stretched” and was in no position to control the
sudden but almost premeditated attack on minority
shops, establishments.
Asked why the police fiddled in Curchorem while it
burnt, Mishra speaking to TEAM GT said “We wanted to
save lives. The force was escorting the victims and
was not enough to counter attack and arrest the
attackers.”
Roadway to Hell
Cocktail of Hate: Shaken and Stirred
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters at gomantaktimes.com
Nearly 50 vehicles destroyed and many burnt, four
petrol pumps damaged, shops looted, 20 houses
ransacked and later burnt. All owned by people from
the minority community and the number is increasing by
the hour.
Curchorem/Savordem: The stillborn silence and
suspicion look that they give you makes you squirm. If
the shameless violence appeared to be greatest mockery
of democracy for the cultured, then for the seven
hundred plus persons from the minority community here,
it had shattered their dreams and vision of communal
harmony in Goa.
As democracy’s most forceful articulation , inevitably
driven by the most primeval passions- hate, made its
way into Curchorem and Savordem from Friday , it has
probably silenced the people of the minority community
forever. They are scared to speak or react. But once
they open up, the scars are evident.
Slowly but with caution they reveal how the nameless,
unreasoning and unjustified terror has paralyzed their
life forever. Though they speak, they refuse to be
quoted for they fear that will be punished by the
majority community for speaking their mind.
“We were planning a silent rally to propagate communal
harmony and human bonding on Friday. But we never
expected things to go out of the hand” said a young
person from the minority community.
Recollecting the events of Friday he said, “we
canceled our rally by 2.30 pm once we were warned by
the Deputy Collector (South) that there was a chance
of a mob attack. But by then many people had gathered
at Curchorem from different parts of Goa. Before we
could think or do anything, a mob appeared and pelted
stones at us. Further, they destroyed our vehicles
and many of us took shelter in the mosque.”
“We are separated from our families. We tool shelter
in the mosque, but we hear that our children were
driven away from the house before the mob damaged and
looted it. We don’t know where and how they are,” said
one elderly man.
What has shocked the minority community is the
unprepardness and inefficiency of the Goa police and
Congress government. “if the police suspected foul
play they should have come prepared. There were hardly
30 or 40 policemen when a mob of more than 1000
policemen attacked us,” said another person.
Congress voters since ages, they swear that they will
never vote for the party again, “We were calling each
and every Congress party minister for help and not a
single person was contactable. We are also human
beings, we also have feelings, and we also want to
live peacefully. Why are politicians playing with out
lives and dreams to fulfill their political
ambitions”, said an elderly man. With tears in his
eyes, he added, “This is not the Goa I knew and loved.
This is not my Goa.”
They rubbished newspaper reports that people from
majority community reacted because many of their
people came from Bhatkal and Hubli in vehicles with
swords and knives. “This is utter lie .If it was true,
we should have also attacked the mob rather than
taking shelter in the mosque. Why was not a single
vehicle with Karnataka registration burnt or
destroyed?
All the vehicles that were destroyed belonged to
people from our community, who are either Goans or
settled here since ages.” And true enough; all the
vehicles destroyed and burnt had Goa registration!
I don’ Know, I just don’t know
The woman who wanted to build the Madrasa is too
shocked at the backlash.
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters at gomantaktimes.com
Guddemol (Sanvordem)
Fear stared in Samshad Begum Anar Bi’s eyes and
chalked her face. She is absolutely confused and too
shocked to speak. When after lots of coaxing, she does
speak most of what she utters are abrupt sentences,
followed by long stretches of silence and stare.
She starts of with, “I built this structure single
handedly. I did get financial help from my community
members. It was to be a mosque and a madrasa .People
could pray and young children could study Arabic.”
Samshad had built the structure on a government land,
which comes under the Twenty Point Programme. The
structure was renovated recently to start a mosque as
well as a Madrasa (a school for imparting religious
preachings). But on February 24, the Savordem
panchayat issued a notice in which they stated that
the structure is illegal and would be demolished
within seven days. However, she got a stay order from
the Directorate of Panchayats. But when locals learnt
about it, they attacked the building at night and
demolished the structure.
“It was around midnight, when a mob attacked and
destroyed the structure. I don’t know why they
attacked. I just don’t know
,” and her voice withered
away, as if she was again lost in her world of
uncertainty and grief.
This is not the Goa we once knew
Preetu Nair and Lynn Shirodkar
reporters at gomantaktimes.com
Curchorem/ Sanvordem
Many locals are shocked and in an utter state of
disbelief. After all, this is not the Goa they love
and value so much. They had always boasted and taken
pride over Goa maintaining its communal harmony,
despite all odds.
But when the houses of minority community were
ransacked and demolished, shops burgled by an angry
mob led by BJP and a few Shiv Sainiks, they were
reduced to mere spectators watching the incidents from
the safety of their houses.
They talk but refuse to be quoted. Said one person
“They can do anything. They have turned a small issue
into a religious issue and are attacking people and
destroying homes. We want to be safe.”
“We are very shocked by the way people have reacted.
They have mixed two issues: one of religion and
another insider-outsider issue. It is really sad and I
feel ashamed,” said another lady.
Meanwhile, an elderly man who observed the incidents
of the day went inside shaking his hands, as the mob
started pelting stones and attacking police. “This is
the darkest and worst day for the Goan society. As few
locals are going about creating a mountain out of a
molehill, they have destroyed the harmony and peace of
the place. I can’t believe this is happening in my
Goa,” he added.
Another person, who was part of the mob on Friday, but
withdrew on Saturday said, “It has now become a
political issue and the politicians are now using us
for their political gains.”
GOA WANTS ANSWERS
• THEY SAY: CM Pratapsing Rane tells a delegation of
minority leaders who seek appointment with him on
Saturday, “I have visited the place in the morning.
Everything is normal and peaceful. You meet me on
Monday”.
BUT: Mr. CM is burning cars, pelting stones,
ransacking petrol pumps and looting sari, footwear
shops and small establishments, injured policemen etc.
signs of peace or violence?
• THEY SAY: Both the people from majority community
and BJP leaders say that the violence occurred because
people from minority community brought people armed
with swords and knives from Bhatkal and Hubli
BUT: If the people from minority community were really
armed, then why did they not retaliate and attack the
mob? On the contrary, many rushed back home and others
took shelter in the mosque at Curchorem.
• THEY SAY: Further there are allegations that they
came in large numbers from Karnataka.
BUT: Not a single vehicle, which was damaged and
destroyed, had Karnataka registration. All vehicles
belonged to people from minority community in Goa.
• They Say: Leader of Opposition, Manohar Parrikar
said, “The influx of migrants in the state cause
social tension and disturb the harmony of the state.”
BUT: The majority of the people whose houses were
attacked, shops burnt and burgled are very much Goans.
And the few others who had migrated from other parts
of country had made Goa their homes and have ration
cards. By calling them outsiders, aren’t you violating
their fundamental right to live and work here?
• THEY SAY: Police claim that they were extremely
short – staffed to control the mob of three thousand
plus.
BUT: It is surprising that with Six Dy SP’s and Twelve
Police Inspectors at the spot, the police failed to
control the mob. But one must admit that the police
were tired and hungry. After all, they are on duty
from Friday evening and the authorities didn’t even
bother to feed them lunch. No wonder, many found it
difficult to handle the mob on empty stomachs.
Only mines, no heart
Only mines, no heart
by Preetu Nair
(This article appeared first in GT Weekender, Panjim edition,
January 8, 2005)
"Babuso arrived at Pandhari's house with Prasad babu, a
Gujarati mine owner with a plan and a certain dream. A dream
where mine pits make gold and certain money too. Unlike a
farmer's job, where after sowing the field for six months, a
farmer may not earn anything because of a bad crop. With the
promise of better money, Pandhari was lured away from his
traditional work to a new work. But little he realizes then
that he has lighted a lamp that is slowly going to burn his
village, his home and finally people.
These characters of Sahitya Akademi winner Pundalik Naik's
novel Acchev (The Upheaval) come alive in very many persons
that one meets at Sattari taluka in Northern district of Goa.
Just like Pandhari they were few years back lured away with
dreams of a better future and good life and development. But
little did the villagers realize that the decision that they
are taking in one moment of weakness would destroy their
future forever and bring in grief and utter devastation. And
yet they know that there is no respite now!
Mining activities in the area has destroyed their source of
water and majority of villagers are now depended on water
supplied by the water tankers of the mining units in the
area. Majority of fields in the area are destroyed and people
are forced to work in the mining units, often for a paltry
sum to ensure that they provide two time meal to their
family.
Every year, the mining industry excavates some 80 million
tonnes of iron and manganese ore with mud from the mountains
in Goa. This has turned the forested areas of Satteri into a
barren land and disrupted ground water table, destroyed the
fields and degraded the habitat of ordinary men and women.
The problem is immense but no government in Goa or any
political party has ever indicated either interest or
commitment to deal with the problems created by the mining
industry. No doubt the mining units have created a fair
amount of employment and helped Goan economy but the price
these villagers in the mining area are paying is too huge.
"We have lost everything. Our fields are completely
destroyed. Our wells are dry. We made several complaints to
the mining companies and even government, but to no avail.
Now if mining activity is stopped then people in the village
will die of hunger and thirst (water is provided by the
mining area). However, it would have been a different story
if mining activity had stopped 15 years back, but then people
never knew the ill-effects of mining," said Balchandra Gawde
of a mining affected village of Pissurlem.
Balchandra is full of stories of how, the mining activity in
the area has slowly but steadily destroyed the economy of the
place and destroyed their peace and health. "People fall sick
in the area at the drop of a hat. The main reason for this is
air and water pollution. The tankers which provide water is
hardly cleaned (once a year). This is the water we use for
drinking, cooking etc. as a result; stomach ailments are
quite common in the area. Tuberculosis and lung ailments are
also very common. My aged mother often falls sick because of
the dust pollution."
He recollects that 12 year back he led a comfortable and calm
life with his family and worked in the 2000 sq mt field that
he tilled. At that time what he cultivated, the family ate.
"I didn't have to worry about rice or vegetables as
everything was grown by us. But the during one monsoon, as
the ore rejects descended with the rains into the fields with
the rain water entered the fields and destroyed the land and
the crops. Now we have to purchase everything from the market
and it is very expensive", he said.
Balchandra admits that every year the mining companies pay
them money for the loss to agriculture but this money is
quite less. "We have complained to the mamlatdar (village
officer) but it has not helped. There are around 150 mundkars
(tenants) in our village, but it is only the influential ones
who get a decent sum while the rest get a paltry sum," he
added. Damage to agriculture is irreversible.
Ironically, severely hit by mining activity Balchandra is now
compelled to work in a mining company for Rs 7000 per month.
"I have no other option. With my fields completely destroyed,
I am forced to work in the mining unit or leave my home and
migrate to another place in search of better opportunities. I
choose the former." Village wells are adversely affected due
to percolation, pollution and disruption of the water table.
Mining activity is also responsible for pollution of water by
oil and grease.
It is not that Balchandra and other villagers from the mining
areas have not approached the government for help, but there
request for help had been turned down by the government. "In
1997, I had written a letter to then CM Pratpsigh Raoji Rane,
who is incidentally our MLA, to look into these issues, but
there was no reply. Now I am tired of the government lethargy
and inaction and am trying to readjust to the new way of
life, however bad it maybe," he added.
It is not just Balchandra's voice. It is the voice of several
villagers who have been affected by the mining units but
don't have the courage to stand up against the unit, lest
they be troubled or left jobless.
Jayshree Naik, (we are not revealing where she stays because
we don't want her husband rendered jobless) who stays close
to one of the mining units bears a lean look. The roof of her
house appears to be painted red, but a closer look reveals
that it is a film of red dust. She is waiting for the
promised rehabilitation since last five years. Her husband
works in one of the units and she is scared to speak against
the mine owners, lest her husband is rendered jobless.
However, she admits that living close to the mining units is
not easy. "After 7 pm the dust pollution is immense as they
stop sprinkling water. Besides there is lot of noise
pollution as trucks keep on coming and going. Due to this
often we don't even get a good sleep," she complained. The
trucks raise large quantities of dust, which enters their
house and adds to their misery. This is the dust they breathe
everyday.
Gurudas Samanth, a retired school teacher from Honda
recollects how three years back, the whole waddo
(neighborhood) was under water during monsoon. "Around
midnight due to heavy rains, the miming dumps became full
with water and due to pressure the retaining wall broke and
the water entered our fields and home. We were shocked. The
waddo was in complete darkness. Somehow we managed to escape
but our belongings were destroyed," he said.
And did the mining units and government tired to help them?
"The government paid Rs 5000 as compensation to the affected
people. But I am yet to get the compensation. In mid 2004 I
got a cheque of Rs 5000 from the Mamlatdar's office, but I
had to send it back as my surname was spelt wrong. After that
I have never heard from them", he added.
Sixty seven year old Vasant Marathe, Honda in Sattari taluka
recollects the time when his khua ghar (plantation) was rich
with areca nuts, coconuts and spices. At that time he dreamt
of a peaceful and calm life in the village, but now he
complains of sleeplessness and ill-health due to the dust
pollution. This was 15 years back when the mining activity
had not completely destroyed their resources and polluted the
place. Once a mining work started in between the nullah from
which the water came to the fields, the water stopped and
they had to incur huge loss. Now since last 10 years they are
using an unused pit of mining unit to pump water to the
fields. "This year mining companies have refused to fill
diesel in the pumps and we are still waiting for the pump to
start. We are helpless. We went to meet the Chief Minister
this week. He has given us an assurance. Let's see what he
does for us", he says.
As a parting shot, he added, "One day there will be a more
serious and stronger agitation than the one happening at
Saleli. The poor have been oppressed and suppressed since
long by the mine owners with the help of the police,
bureaucracy and politicians. But one day, people will unite
and stand up in revolt. I just hope it is not too late."
Mining
The growth of mining activities is accompanied by
deterioration in quality of environment (air, water and land)
besides life. Mining operation involves drilling, blasting,
ripping, dozing, loading, waste disposal sizing and washing
ores in beneficiation plants.
AIR
Mining dust pollution is a major hurdle in the area. Trucks
carrying huge tons of ore raise large quantities of dust.
Though they are covered it doesn't help and the dust enters
home and people are forced to breathe this dust every moment.
The village during evenings appears to be shrouded in gloomy
pall of ore dust.
WATER
The factors contributing to discharge of water bodies are
discharge of mine pit water, waste water from wet
beneficiation plants, rain run-off from the dumps, effluent
from workshops, pumping out water to rivers and streams from
mines. Soil erosion and run off from mine dumps due to heavy
rains causes siltation of rivers, streams, nallahs and even
agriculture lands. Even the ground water is severely affected
and due this often the river, nallahs and wells in the area
have gone dry.
LAND
The villages which were two decades back completely
agricultural land with rabi and kharif crops have been
completely destroyed. For mining, land is required not only
for mine excavation but also for waste dumping, ore
stockyard, infrastructural facilities etc. Since the over
burden ration in Goa is more than 1:3 enormous waste material
is generated per tonne of iron ore and so huge area outside
the mining lease area is required for the dumping. Mining has
also effected the streams that irrigate the fields and in
certain cases the fields themselves. At some places
agricultural land has been converted to a dumping pit.
by Preetu Nair
(This article appeared first in GT Weekender, Panjim edition,
January 8, 2005)
"Babuso arrived at Pandhari's house with Prasad babu, a
Gujarati mine owner with a plan and a certain dream. A dream
where mine pits make gold and certain money too. Unlike a
farmer's job, where after sowing the field for six months, a
farmer may not earn anything because of a bad crop. With the
promise of better money, Pandhari was lured away from his
traditional work to a new work. But little he realizes then
that he has lighted a lamp that is slowly going to burn his
village, his home and finally people.
These characters of Sahitya Akademi winner Pundalik Naik's
novel Acchev (The Upheaval) come alive in very many persons
that one meets at Sattari taluka in Northern district of Goa.
Just like Pandhari they were few years back lured away with
dreams of a better future and good life and development. But
little did the villagers realize that the decision that they
are taking in one moment of weakness would destroy their
future forever and bring in grief and utter devastation. And
yet they know that there is no respite now!
Mining activities in the area has destroyed their source of
water and majority of villagers are now depended on water
supplied by the water tankers of the mining units in the
area. Majority of fields in the area are destroyed and people
are forced to work in the mining units, often for a paltry
sum to ensure that they provide two time meal to their
family.
Every year, the mining industry excavates some 80 million
tonnes of iron and manganese ore with mud from the mountains
in Goa. This has turned the forested areas of Satteri into a
barren land and disrupted ground water table, destroyed the
fields and degraded the habitat of ordinary men and women.
The problem is immense but no government in Goa or any
political party has ever indicated either interest or
commitment to deal with the problems created by the mining
industry. No doubt the mining units have created a fair
amount of employment and helped Goan economy but the price
these villagers in the mining area are paying is too huge.
"We have lost everything. Our fields are completely
destroyed. Our wells are dry. We made several complaints to
the mining companies and even government, but to no avail.
Now if mining activity is stopped then people in the village
will die of hunger and thirst (water is provided by the
mining area). However, it would have been a different story
if mining activity had stopped 15 years back, but then people
never knew the ill-effects of mining," said Balchandra Gawde
of a mining affected village of Pissurlem.
Balchandra is full of stories of how, the mining activity in
the area has slowly but steadily destroyed the economy of the
place and destroyed their peace and health. "People fall sick
in the area at the drop of a hat. The main reason for this is
air and water pollution. The tankers which provide water is
hardly cleaned (once a year). This is the water we use for
drinking, cooking etc. as a result; stomach ailments are
quite common in the area. Tuberculosis and lung ailments are
also very common. My aged mother often falls sick because of
the dust pollution."
He recollects that 12 year back he led a comfortable and calm
life with his family and worked in the 2000 sq mt field that
he tilled. At that time what he cultivated, the family ate.
"I didn't have to worry about rice or vegetables as
everything was grown by us. But the during one monsoon, as
the ore rejects descended with the rains into the fields with
the rain water entered the fields and destroyed the land and
the crops. Now we have to purchase everything from the market
and it is very expensive", he said.
Balchandra admits that every year the mining companies pay
them money for the loss to agriculture but this money is
quite less. "We have complained to the mamlatdar (village
officer) but it has not helped. There are around 150 mundkars
(tenants) in our village, but it is only the influential ones
who get a decent sum while the rest get a paltry sum," he
added. Damage to agriculture is irreversible.
Ironically, severely hit by mining activity Balchandra is now
compelled to work in a mining company for Rs 7000 per month.
"I have no other option. With my fields completely destroyed,
I am forced to work in the mining unit or leave my home and
migrate to another place in search of better opportunities. I
choose the former." Village wells are adversely affected due
to percolation, pollution and disruption of the water table.
Mining activity is also responsible for pollution of water by
oil and grease.
It is not that Balchandra and other villagers from the mining
areas have not approached the government for help, but there
request for help had been turned down by the government. "In
1997, I had written a letter to then CM Pratpsigh Raoji Rane,
who is incidentally our MLA, to look into these issues, but
there was no reply. Now I am tired of the government lethargy
and inaction and am trying to readjust to the new way of
life, however bad it maybe," he added.
It is not just Balchandra's voice. It is the voice of several
villagers who have been affected by the mining units but
don't have the courage to stand up against the unit, lest
they be troubled or left jobless.
Jayshree Naik, (we are not revealing where she stays because
we don't want her husband rendered jobless) who stays close
to one of the mining units bears a lean look. The roof of her
house appears to be painted red, but a closer look reveals
that it is a film of red dust. She is waiting for the
promised rehabilitation since last five years. Her husband
works in one of the units and she is scared to speak against
the mine owners, lest her husband is rendered jobless.
However, she admits that living close to the mining units is
not easy. "After 7 pm the dust pollution is immense as they
stop sprinkling water. Besides there is lot of noise
pollution as trucks keep on coming and going. Due to this
often we don't even get a good sleep," she complained. The
trucks raise large quantities of dust, which enters their
house and adds to their misery. This is the dust they breathe
everyday.
Gurudas Samanth, a retired school teacher from Honda
recollects how three years back, the whole waddo
(neighborhood) was under water during monsoon. "Around
midnight due to heavy rains, the miming dumps became full
with water and due to pressure the retaining wall broke and
the water entered our fields and home. We were shocked. The
waddo was in complete darkness. Somehow we managed to escape
but our belongings were destroyed," he said.
And did the mining units and government tired to help them?
"The government paid Rs 5000 as compensation to the affected
people. But I am yet to get the compensation. In mid 2004 I
got a cheque of Rs 5000 from the Mamlatdar's office, but I
had to send it back as my surname was spelt wrong. After that
I have never heard from them", he added.
Sixty seven year old Vasant Marathe, Honda in Sattari taluka
recollects the time when his khua ghar (plantation) was rich
with areca nuts, coconuts and spices. At that time he dreamt
of a peaceful and calm life in the village, but now he
complains of sleeplessness and ill-health due to the dust
pollution. This was 15 years back when the mining activity
had not completely destroyed their resources and polluted the
place. Once a mining work started in between the nullah from
which the water came to the fields, the water stopped and
they had to incur huge loss. Now since last 10 years they are
using an unused pit of mining unit to pump water to the
fields. "This year mining companies have refused to fill
diesel in the pumps and we are still waiting for the pump to
start. We are helpless. We went to meet the Chief Minister
this week. He has given us an assurance. Let's see what he
does for us", he says.
As a parting shot, he added, "One day there will be a more
serious and stronger agitation than the one happening at
Saleli. The poor have been oppressed and suppressed since
long by the mine owners with the help of the police,
bureaucracy and politicians. But one day, people will unite
and stand up in revolt. I just hope it is not too late."
Mining
The growth of mining activities is accompanied by
deterioration in quality of environment (air, water and land)
besides life. Mining operation involves drilling, blasting,
ripping, dozing, loading, waste disposal sizing and washing
ores in beneficiation plants.
AIR
Mining dust pollution is a major hurdle in the area. Trucks
carrying huge tons of ore raise large quantities of dust.
Though they are covered it doesn't help and the dust enters
home and people are forced to breathe this dust every moment.
The village during evenings appears to be shrouded in gloomy
pall of ore dust.
WATER
The factors contributing to discharge of water bodies are
discharge of mine pit water, waste water from wet
beneficiation plants, rain run-off from the dumps, effluent
from workshops, pumping out water to rivers and streams from
mines. Soil erosion and run off from mine dumps due to heavy
rains causes siltation of rivers, streams, nallahs and even
agriculture lands. Even the ground water is severely affected
and due this often the river, nallahs and wells in the area
have gone dry.
LAND
The villages which were two decades back completely
agricultural land with rabi and kharif crops have been
completely destroyed. For mining, land is required not only
for mine excavation but also for waste dumping, ore
stockyard, infrastructural facilities etc. Since the over
burden ration in Goa is more than 1:3 enormous waste material
is generated per tonne of iron ore and so huge area outside
the mining lease area is required for the dumping. Mining has
also effected the streams that irrigate the fields and in
certain cases the fields themselves. At some places
agricultural land has been converted to a dumping pit.
Workshop Tourism! In the name of Poor Kids
PANJIM:
FIRST THE FIGURES: Nearly 12 workshops on women and child trafficking in three months. In other words, every month there are at least four workshops on trafficking of children. Besides, two training programmes to sensitise the police has been held at Police headquarters, Panjim. In September three more consultations on trafficking have already been announced.
NOW THE FACT: These workshops and conferences are increasingly becoming more about "building partnerships" and less about children or trafficked victims. Check out what is happening in the child friendly state, even as activists are busy formulating new "drafts of conduct" and "mainstreaming child rights". This is just the tip of an iceberg.
The trafficked victims of Baina are still awaiting rehabilitation. A minor girl from Mohana, Orissa is trafficked to Goa and employed as a domestic help at a Public Prosecutor's (PP) house in Margao. She is rescued from the PP's house (cupboard to be precise) and sent to Apna Ghar. But no action is taken against the PP, though he is a government employee.
The state government gives an in-country adoption license to Preet Mandir and the child activists hardly react. Finally, media activism forces state government to suspend license.
This is a clear indicator that somewhere, something has gone wrong. "Training, legislation and sensitisation programmes are important. At the moment there is an overdose of consultations on the same subject. Moreover, reaching out to victims and providing services to them is far more important," explains Arun Pandey, ARZ.
Audrey Pinto, CRG, argues, "It helps to sensitise to a certain extent. There is an awareness created through these conferences and workshops." But Bernie D'Souza, Jan Ugahi, calls this "Workshop Tourism", where expenditures, energies and time spent far outweigh the real benefits to the children or other target groups.
The greatest irony is that majority of these meets are in five-star or three star resorts, where delegates sitting in AC rooms talk about poverty and trafficked victims. Incidentally, the amount spent on one cup of coffee in a five star resort can actually feed a child for two days. However, Sujay Pati from WISE, which has maximum number of meetings at five-star resorts argues, "What you are saying is ethically correct, but it is just not logical as we work with the hotel industry and holding meetings at five star resorts is a matter of convenience."
Sources reveal that there is a sudden focus on trafficking in Goa because 3 million dollars has been sanctioned for Goa by UNIFEM. However, Archana Tamang, Chief, Women's Human Rights and Human Security Unit rubbished it. "We have a small budget and have been trying to make optimum use of it by leveraging broad bases. Perhaps this is the reason why it looks like as though we have spent a lot of money in Goa," said Tamang.
She added, "The figure sources have quoted is almost 5 times greater than our Goa Program budget".
FLURRY OF WORKSHOPS
SINCE JUNE 2006: 12 + two training programme to sensitise police
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION: Trafficking of women and children and child rights
NGO'S ORGANSING IT: WISE, CRG, Sangath, Shaktivahini (Delhi based NGO), Bagla Natak and Childline.
(Article appeared in GT on Friday, September 1, 2006)
FIRST THE FIGURES: Nearly 12 workshops on women and child trafficking in three months. In other words, every month there are at least four workshops on trafficking of children. Besides, two training programmes to sensitise the police has been held at Police headquarters, Panjim. In September three more consultations on trafficking have already been announced.
NOW THE FACT: These workshops and conferences are increasingly becoming more about "building partnerships" and less about children or trafficked victims. Check out what is happening in the child friendly state, even as activists are busy formulating new "drafts of conduct" and "mainstreaming child rights". This is just the tip of an iceberg.
The trafficked victims of Baina are still awaiting rehabilitation. A minor girl from Mohana, Orissa is trafficked to Goa and employed as a domestic help at a Public Prosecutor's (PP) house in Margao. She is rescued from the PP's house (cupboard to be precise) and sent to Apna Ghar. But no action is taken against the PP, though he is a government employee.
The state government gives an in-country adoption license to Preet Mandir and the child activists hardly react. Finally, media activism forces state government to suspend license.
This is a clear indicator that somewhere, something has gone wrong. "Training, legislation and sensitisation programmes are important. At the moment there is an overdose of consultations on the same subject. Moreover, reaching out to victims and providing services to them is far more important," explains Arun Pandey, ARZ.
Audrey Pinto, CRG, argues, "It helps to sensitise to a certain extent. There is an awareness created through these conferences and workshops." But Bernie D'Souza, Jan Ugahi, calls this "Workshop Tourism", where expenditures, energies and time spent far outweigh the real benefits to the children or other target groups.
The greatest irony is that majority of these meets are in five-star or three star resorts, where delegates sitting in AC rooms talk about poverty and trafficked victims. Incidentally, the amount spent on one cup of coffee in a five star resort can actually feed a child for two days. However, Sujay Pati from WISE, which has maximum number of meetings at five-star resorts argues, "What you are saying is ethically correct, but it is just not logical as we work with the hotel industry and holding meetings at five star resorts is a matter of convenience."
Sources reveal that there is a sudden focus on trafficking in Goa because 3 million dollars has been sanctioned for Goa by UNIFEM. However, Archana Tamang, Chief, Women's Human Rights and Human Security Unit rubbished it. "We have a small budget and have been trying to make optimum use of it by leveraging broad bases. Perhaps this is the reason why it looks like as though we have spent a lot of money in Goa," said Tamang.
She added, "The figure sources have quoted is almost 5 times greater than our Goa Program budget".
FLURRY OF WORKSHOPS
SINCE JUNE 2006: 12 + two training programme to sensitise police
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION: Trafficking of women and children and child rights
NGO'S ORGANSING IT: WISE, CRG, Sangath, Shaktivahini (Delhi based NGO), Bagla Natak and Childline.
(Article appeared in GT on Friday, September 1, 2006)
Cradle snatchers
by Preetu Nair
The shocking story of a mother who was not allowed to breast feed her insect bitten daughter, by a so called ‘adoption agency’. With a lack of clear guidelines and rules on the functioning of adoption agencies, the process of duping poor illiterate people of their babies in Goa continues. Innocent mothers are made to sign documents that actually surrender their children for adoption while they are made to believe that the baby is just going to a home for care and shelter.
Preetu Nair investigates this big baby bloomer and looks into the various rules and loopholes that govern the adoption process When 17-year-old Nagamma Bedgini, a rag picker from Baina, decided to take her one month old baby to a Children’s Home in Goa, she had a dream of a better future. But she never ever bargained for the nightmare that followed.
“I was told that my child would be looked after well in the home and whenever desired I would visit my child and even stay with her. I signed the papers, though the contents were never read out to me in Kannada (the only language she is speaks and understands) neither did I ask them to read out the contents to me”, she informed. Why? “I never ever in my wildest dream thought that they would make me sign an affidavit stating that I am relinquishing my child and giving her up for adoption,“ she added.
Thankfully, when Nagamma came to know that her child was given for adoption without her real consent, NGO’s got into the act and mounted pressure after which the child was returned to her.
Probably, when Nagamma was persuaded by Celsa Antao, President, Desterro Eves Mahila Mandal to take her one-month-old baby to Preet Mandir, Aldona, on July 30, 2005, she never realised that her “madam” was actually asking to sign an affidavit in Marathi stating, “…I am giving in writing that I am handing over my child on 30 July, 2005 to Preet Mandir, Goa. The organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her…. If I don’t contact within two months then you have to take this as my legal affidavit in affirmation of which I am signing below.” This despite the fact that Preet Mandir, Goa is not a licensed and recognised agency for adoption, as yet.
When this reporter contacted Celsa Antao, she said, “I am being unnecessarily blamed. I don’t want to take anyone’s child or harass anyone. I just wanted to give
the child a home. When the mother came to me, she was distressed and eager to throw the child even in the dustbin. So I suggested that she should keep her child at Preet Mandir, to ensure that the child has a home.” But when questioned about the affidavit that Nagamma alleged she was coaxed to sign, stating she was giving away her child for adoption, Celsa took the easy way out, “I don’t know the technical side of it. At present I just know that it is a shelter home.”
In another case, Sazin (name changed), an unwed mother had dreams of bringing up her child. But little did the illiterate Sazin realise that her new born baby would be taken away from the hospital after she was coaxed to sign few documents. When she asked to return her child, she was told that the child was dead.
Recently, a destitute woman Maya (name changed) from Vasco was approached by few “volunteers”, who advised her that she should put her five-year-old and seven-year-old sons in Children’s home to ensure a better and safe tomorrow. Homeless and jobless with three children, she is confused and unable to make a decision.
There are many like Nagamma, Sazin and Maya– illiterate, poor and single mothers– who are being persuaded by “friendly volunteers” to give away their children for rehabilitation (read as adoption) either to a Children’s Home or directly to a family. And extreme poverty and the stigma of unwed motherhood often forces these young women to abandon their children at birth. “After the Baina demolition, majority of women are jobless and helpless. They have to struggle hard for survival and so fall easy victims to people who approach them with a promise of a better future for their child and some cash. We know for sure that some agencies and volunteers are exploiting the poverty of mothers staying in the slums and trying to lure the women to give away their kids,” said Arun Pandey, ARZ, Baina.
Investigations also revealed that some private clinics are also involved in shoddy deals, though they are not supposed to place children in adoption.
Legally, adopting a child in Goa is not easy. Lawyers and women activists opine that the prime reason for such illegal adoption rackets surviving is the fact that only Goans who come under Portuguese Civil Code are allowed to become legal guardians of a child.
Under the Civil Code, if a Goan Hindu wants to adopt, he can only do so only under the personal law, “Usages and Customs of Gentile Hindus”. Under this law he can adopt only a male child and that too from a family member. That is not all. Under the Civil Code even though the parents became guardians of the child, their names cannot be entered as “parents” on the birth certificate of the child.
Hence, to bypass these restrictions, some got into a seedy baby purchase racket that came to light in October 1998 when the sale of a baby in a private nursing home in South Goa was proven. It was found that those wanting to buy/adopt/sell used to take the babies of very poor parents directly from the hospital and get a birth certificate issued with the names of the “buyer” parents. This was also confirmed by Susan Furtado, lawyer and expert on adoption in Goa.
However, she admitted that such incidents have drastically gone down after the court of Justice F. I. Rebello of Bombay High Court, in a path-breaking judgement in 1999, stated that only after being a guardian for two years, could the parents be allowed to go for legal adoption.
Under Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) guidelines, respective state governments have to formulate laws for shelter homes to give away kids for adoption either under the Women and Children’s Institutions Act, 1956 or Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960. According to the Secretary, Women and Child Development, in Goa, the state government follows the Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960.
However, Albertina Almeida, lawyer and activist contradicts this. “Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960 is not yet implemented in Goa. When the drafting of the Goa Children's Bill was going on, AK Wasnik, ex- Director, Department of Women and Child, claimed ignorance of this law and categorically stated that no registration of homes was being done under this Act. Then a suggestion was made that since the contents in law is outdated, it may be more sensible to have a better law in place as regards the supervision and control of children's homes. That is how there was a specific section in the Goa Children's Act 2003 regarding Children's homes, but a section on adoption was not incorporated”, she argued.
Even the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 provides for adoption and is applicable to Goa. But the State government is required to frame rules to carry out the purposes of this Act, which includes giving the children from Apna Ghar in adoption. “Since Goa does not have any law on adoption as such, there was all the more need for State-specific rules to be framed under the Juvenile Justice Act, but even this has not yet happened”, added Albertina.
Sources in the Women and Child Department revealed that only two organisations – Caritas and Matruchaya-- in Goa are licensed by CARA as adoption agencies on the recommendation of the state government
However there is loophole even here in the light of the fact that the Goa government still hasn’t framed any adoption rules either under the Juvenile Justice Act or under the Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960.
In fact the Goa government wrote to Caritas a couple of months ago asking them under which law were they giving the kids for adoption. Caritas replied that they were doing so under CARA guidelines and was willing to comply with any guidelines or directives of the state government.
When contacted, Rajani Verenkar, Social Welfare Officer, Department of Women and Child said, “Children’s homes registered under section 6 of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, is a place which can take in a child for shelter and rehabilitation. But they can’t give away kids for adoption. For this the home needs to be registered under CARA guidelines,” she opined.
Further, CARA guidelines clearly states that in case of surrender of a child by a biological parent(s), the surrender document should be executed on a stamp paper
in the presence of two responsible witnesses of whom one should be a responsible person who is not an employee of the organisation and documents should also be signed by a Notary or a Oath Commissioner. In case of a minor surrendering the child, at least one signature(s) of a parent (s), relative (s) of the minor should be obtained in the presence of the minor. However, these procedures are hardly followed in totality.
Investigations revealed that often facts and figures are distorted and residence address and age falsified to ensure that the child is taken away from the parent, all this in violation of Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which ensures that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents “unless such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child”. Besides, the state government has the right to cross check all surrender documents and copies of these are to be sent to the Adoption Cell/Department. “But Goa doesn’t have an Adoption Cell,” stated Susan Furtado.
“I was not allowed to breast feed my child, she was bitten by an insect”- Nagamma Bedgini Preet Mandir, a shelter home in Goa and a supposedly reputed adoption agency in Pune, claims that it’s actions are above board, but try telling it to a 17 year old mother whose child was taken away about to be given for adoption without her knowledge. Weekender asks Preet Mandir some questions and carries their replies in full without any editing Nagamma Bedgini, 17-year-old, a rag picker was asked to sign an affidavit stating, “…I am giving in writing that I am handing over my child on 30 July, 2005 to Preet Mandir, Goa. The organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her…. If I don’t contact within two months then you have to take this as my legal affidavit in affirmation of which I am signing below.”
The reason for discarding her child according to the affidavit: “I couldn’t accept the child because she is born out of an illicit relationship and so there is no social acceptance. As I want to get married in future and live a happily married life, I have expressed my thought to give up the child legally.”
What is interesting to note here is that Preet Mandir, Goa is not registered under CARA nor do they have license to give children for adoption. Then how can they take a child for adoption from a minor girl? GT investigations reveal that they have already taken seven kids in the shelter home to give for adoption and have also started registering people interested in adopting these kids. When this reporter visited the home in Aldona, which got a license under Goa Children’s Act on November 10, 2004 to run a shelter home for 100 children, a counsellor there said, “We are not giving kids for adoption as we are not registered under CARA guidelines”.
Later when Nagamma expressed her desire to meet her daughter and breast feed her there, the Preet Mandir authorities refused. “I started crying profusely when they said that I can’t even see my child. Finally, they took me inside and I was shocked to see my that some insect had bitten my child and she was bleeding,” revealed Nagamma. She insisted on taking back her child, but was told that she can’t take the child back.
That’s when she met people at ARZ and revealed her tale. ARZ in turn got in touch with CRG, Bailancho Saad and Sandarsh organisation and approached Preet Mandir. Under pressure from the NGO’s, Preet Mandir was forced to return Nagamma’s child on August 11, 2005.
Nagamma got back her daughter but everyone is not as lucky as her. We faxed few questions to Preet Mandir with regard to Nagamma’s case. YV Krishnamurthy, General Manager of Preet Mandir replied to the same.
Question: In the first affidavit, issued on June 16, 2005 you show Nagamma Bedgiri’s age as 18 and in the final affidavit on August 3, 2005 you state her age as
being 17. Why this discrepancy? And if she is a minor (as she herself claims to be) did you follow proper procedures before taking her child in your home?
Preet Mandir (PM) replies: The affidavit dated July 30 2005 (and not June 16, 2005 as stated under the query) is executed before the notary public by Nagamma Bed Giri, while she came to relinquish the child with our Goa unit. The subsequent affidavit dated August 3, 2005 deliberately states her age as seventeen years because she was deliberately asked to change her stand with regard to her age by five other NGOs whose representatives accompanied her along with her mother and demanded that the child be returned back.
This subsequent affidavit dated August 3, 2005 has been executed by Nagamma Bed Giri herself disclosing her age as seventeen years at the time of taking back the child. In view of these facts the variation in the age of Naggamma Bed Giri is entirely due to the executant and Preet Mandir is not accountable for the same. There was no reason for Preet Mandir to doubt the first Affidavit and the bonafide of the mother who came to relinquish the child.
Naggamma Bed Girl is educated upto 4th standard and she is not fluent in reading Marathi language accordingly, the version in Kannada language of Affidavit dated 3rd August 2005 is also accompanied with the affidavit dated 30th July, which she has duly been signed and then there was no reason to doubt the authority of the version as set out in the affidavit dated 30th July 2005.
BUT: Doesn’t a respectable trust like Preet Mandir, working for the rehabilitation of orphan as well as women in need, have to maintain proper records and verify the age claims properly. If they are right (as they claim to be) do they really need to budge under pressure from NGO’s and change Nagamma’s age?
Question: You claim that you had a certificate of
Directorate of Health Services (Cottage Hospital, Chicalim) which states Nagamma’s age as 18 years, 4 months. But the date on the certificate is August 3,
2005. But the date on which you took Nagamma’s baby, Goa is July 30, 2005 is prior to that date Did you make any effort to counter check her real age?
PM replies: Naggamma Bed Giri was suffering from some kind of disease, she was asked to obtain medical certificate for her medical fitness from competent doctor in order to maintain the medical history of the child. The certificate mentioned by you in the query is in that context The fact as stated under query again do not raise any doubt with regard to the age of Naggamma Bed Giri but the age stated in the Medical Certificate further confirms that she is a major, which is the first version dated July 30, 2005.
BUT: Nagamma claims that she had never produced this certificate nor was she ever taken to Cottage Hospital, Chicalim. So how can a certificate be produced without her knowledge. Besides, Naggamma Bed Giri is not suffering from any sort of disease. Yes, when she urged that she wanted to breast feed her child, she was taken for a blood test. Unfortunately, the poor soul didn’t even realise that they were doing an HIV/AIDS test, as she was not even given pre or post counselling.
Question: Preet Mandir is a registered home under Goa Children’s Act. You are not an adoption agency, then why did you ask Nagamma to sign papers stating “…I am giving in writing that I am handing over my child on 30 July, 2005 to Preet Mandir, Goa. The organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her…. If I don’t contact within two months then you have to take this as my legal affidavit in affirmation of which I am signing below.” (she knew nothing of what she was signing)
PM replies: As already stated under reply to the query No.1 above pending grant of certificate/ license under the Goa Children Act and the Rules framed there under, pursuant to our application dated 23rd October 2004 under Sec.6 of the said Act the declaration obtained form Naggamma Bed Giri is neither objectionable nor the same requires any further explanation in view of the fact that the interim license dated 10th November 2004 permitted us to start our activities as per prescribed laws. Hence the query-raised is already explained above in view of the reply to query No.1 and this query does not arise separately which is repeatedly in nature.
BUT: Secretary, Women and Child categorically stated that section (6) of Goa Children’s Act doesn’t deal with adoption. So how did Preet Mandir ask Nagamma to sign papers stating that the organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her.
Question: Our investigations reveal that Preet Mandir, Goa has already taken seven kids in the shelter home to give in for adoption and have also started registering people interested in adopting these kids. But can you really do this, especially since you are not a registered agency for adoption?
PM replies: Under your query Preet Mandir, Goa is described as shelter home, which is factually in-correct.
But: Rajani Verenkar, Social Welfare Officer, Department of Women and Child said, “Preet Mandir is only registered under section 6 of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, which gives them permission to take in a child for shelter and rehabilitation. But they can’t take children for adoption under this Act”. However, Preet Mandir neither denies nor accepts that it has already taken seven kids in the shelter home to give in for adoption and have also started registering people interested in adopting these kids.
(This article first appeared in Gomantak Times, Panaji- The author can be contacted at preetunair@yahoo.com)
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The shocking story of a mother who was not allowed to breast feed her insect bitten daughter, by a so called ‘adoption agency’. With a lack of clear guidelines and rules on the functioning of adoption agencies, the process of duping poor illiterate people of their babies in Goa continues. Innocent mothers are made to sign documents that actually surrender their children for adoption while they are made to believe that the baby is just going to a home for care and shelter.
Preetu Nair investigates this big baby bloomer and looks into the various rules and loopholes that govern the adoption process When 17-year-old Nagamma Bedgini, a rag picker from Baina, decided to take her one month old baby to a Children’s Home in Goa, she had a dream of a better future. But she never ever bargained for the nightmare that followed.
“I was told that my child would be looked after well in the home and whenever desired I would visit my child and even stay with her. I signed the papers, though the contents were never read out to me in Kannada (the only language she is speaks and understands) neither did I ask them to read out the contents to me”, she informed. Why? “I never ever in my wildest dream thought that they would make me sign an affidavit stating that I am relinquishing my child and giving her up for adoption,“ she added.
Thankfully, when Nagamma came to know that her child was given for adoption without her real consent, NGO’s got into the act and mounted pressure after which the child was returned to her.
Probably, when Nagamma was persuaded by Celsa Antao, President, Desterro Eves Mahila Mandal to take her one-month-old baby to Preet Mandir, Aldona, on July 30, 2005, she never realised that her “madam” was actually asking to sign an affidavit in Marathi stating, “…I am giving in writing that I am handing over my child on 30 July, 2005 to Preet Mandir, Goa. The organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her…. If I don’t contact within two months then you have to take this as my legal affidavit in affirmation of which I am signing below.” This despite the fact that Preet Mandir, Goa is not a licensed and recognised agency for adoption, as yet.
When this reporter contacted Celsa Antao, she said, “I am being unnecessarily blamed. I don’t want to take anyone’s child or harass anyone. I just wanted to give
the child a home. When the mother came to me, she was distressed and eager to throw the child even in the dustbin. So I suggested that she should keep her child at Preet Mandir, to ensure that the child has a home.” But when questioned about the affidavit that Nagamma alleged she was coaxed to sign, stating she was giving away her child for adoption, Celsa took the easy way out, “I don’t know the technical side of it. At present I just know that it is a shelter home.”
In another case, Sazin (name changed), an unwed mother had dreams of bringing up her child. But little did the illiterate Sazin realise that her new born baby would be taken away from the hospital after she was coaxed to sign few documents. When she asked to return her child, she was told that the child was dead.
Recently, a destitute woman Maya (name changed) from Vasco was approached by few “volunteers”, who advised her that she should put her five-year-old and seven-year-old sons in Children’s home to ensure a better and safe tomorrow. Homeless and jobless with three children, she is confused and unable to make a decision.
There are many like Nagamma, Sazin and Maya– illiterate, poor and single mothers– who are being persuaded by “friendly volunteers” to give away their children for rehabilitation (read as adoption) either to a Children’s Home or directly to a family. And extreme poverty and the stigma of unwed motherhood often forces these young women to abandon their children at birth. “After the Baina demolition, majority of women are jobless and helpless. They have to struggle hard for survival and so fall easy victims to people who approach them with a promise of a better future for their child and some cash. We know for sure that some agencies and volunteers are exploiting the poverty of mothers staying in the slums and trying to lure the women to give away their kids,” said Arun Pandey, ARZ, Baina.
Investigations also revealed that some private clinics are also involved in shoddy deals, though they are not supposed to place children in adoption.
Legally, adopting a child in Goa is not easy. Lawyers and women activists opine that the prime reason for such illegal adoption rackets surviving is the fact that only Goans who come under Portuguese Civil Code are allowed to become legal guardians of a child.
Under the Civil Code, if a Goan Hindu wants to adopt, he can only do so only under the personal law, “Usages and Customs of Gentile Hindus”. Under this law he can adopt only a male child and that too from a family member. That is not all. Under the Civil Code even though the parents became guardians of the child, their names cannot be entered as “parents” on the birth certificate of the child.
Hence, to bypass these restrictions, some got into a seedy baby purchase racket that came to light in October 1998 when the sale of a baby in a private nursing home in South Goa was proven. It was found that those wanting to buy/adopt/sell used to take the babies of very poor parents directly from the hospital and get a birth certificate issued with the names of the “buyer” parents. This was also confirmed by Susan Furtado, lawyer and expert on adoption in Goa.
However, she admitted that such incidents have drastically gone down after the court of Justice F. I. Rebello of Bombay High Court, in a path-breaking judgement in 1999, stated that only after being a guardian for two years, could the parents be allowed to go for legal adoption.
Under Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) guidelines, respective state governments have to formulate laws for shelter homes to give away kids for adoption either under the Women and Children’s Institutions Act, 1956 or Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960. According to the Secretary, Women and Child Development, in Goa, the state government follows the Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960.
However, Albertina Almeida, lawyer and activist contradicts this. “Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960 is not yet implemented in Goa. When the drafting of the Goa Children's Bill was going on, AK Wasnik, ex- Director, Department of Women and Child, claimed ignorance of this law and categorically stated that no registration of homes was being done under this Act. Then a suggestion was made that since the contents in law is outdated, it may be more sensible to have a better law in place as regards the supervision and control of children's homes. That is how there was a specific section in the Goa Children's Act 2003 regarding Children's homes, but a section on adoption was not incorporated”, she argued.
Even the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 provides for adoption and is applicable to Goa. But the State government is required to frame rules to carry out the purposes of this Act, which includes giving the children from Apna Ghar in adoption. “Since Goa does not have any law on adoption as such, there was all the more need for State-specific rules to be framed under the Juvenile Justice Act, but even this has not yet happened”, added Albertina.
Sources in the Women and Child Department revealed that only two organisations – Caritas and Matruchaya-- in Goa are licensed by CARA as adoption agencies on the recommendation of the state government
However there is loophole even here in the light of the fact that the Goa government still hasn’t framed any adoption rules either under the Juvenile Justice Act or under the Orphanage or Charitable Institutions (Supervision & Control) Act, 1960.
In fact the Goa government wrote to Caritas a couple of months ago asking them under which law were they giving the kids for adoption. Caritas replied that they were doing so under CARA guidelines and was willing to comply with any guidelines or directives of the state government.
When contacted, Rajani Verenkar, Social Welfare Officer, Department of Women and Child said, “Children’s homes registered under section 6 of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, is a place which can take in a child for shelter and rehabilitation. But they can’t give away kids for adoption. For this the home needs to be registered under CARA guidelines,” she opined.
Further, CARA guidelines clearly states that in case of surrender of a child by a biological parent(s), the surrender document should be executed on a stamp paper
in the presence of two responsible witnesses of whom one should be a responsible person who is not an employee of the organisation and documents should also be signed by a Notary or a Oath Commissioner. In case of a minor surrendering the child, at least one signature(s) of a parent (s), relative (s) of the minor should be obtained in the presence of the minor. However, these procedures are hardly followed in totality.
Investigations revealed that often facts and figures are distorted and residence address and age falsified to ensure that the child is taken away from the parent, all this in violation of Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which ensures that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents “unless such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child”. Besides, the state government has the right to cross check all surrender documents and copies of these are to be sent to the Adoption Cell/Department. “But Goa doesn’t have an Adoption Cell,” stated Susan Furtado.
“I was not allowed to breast feed my child, she was bitten by an insect”- Nagamma Bedgini Preet Mandir, a shelter home in Goa and a supposedly reputed adoption agency in Pune, claims that it’s actions are above board, but try telling it to a 17 year old mother whose child was taken away about to be given for adoption without her knowledge. Weekender asks Preet Mandir some questions and carries their replies in full without any editing Nagamma Bedgini, 17-year-old, a rag picker was asked to sign an affidavit stating, “…I am giving in writing that I am handing over my child on 30 July, 2005 to Preet Mandir, Goa. The organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her…. If I don’t contact within two months then you have to take this as my legal affidavit in affirmation of which I am signing below.”
The reason for discarding her child according to the affidavit: “I couldn’t accept the child because she is born out of an illicit relationship and so there is no social acceptance. As I want to get married in future and live a happily married life, I have expressed my thought to give up the child legally.”
What is interesting to note here is that Preet Mandir, Goa is not registered under CARA nor do they have license to give children for adoption. Then how can they take a child for adoption from a minor girl? GT investigations reveal that they have already taken seven kids in the shelter home to give for adoption and have also started registering people interested in adopting these kids. When this reporter visited the home in Aldona, which got a license under Goa Children’s Act on November 10, 2004 to run a shelter home for 100 children, a counsellor there said, “We are not giving kids for adoption as we are not registered under CARA guidelines”.
Later when Nagamma expressed her desire to meet her daughter and breast feed her there, the Preet Mandir authorities refused. “I started crying profusely when they said that I can’t even see my child. Finally, they took me inside and I was shocked to see my that some insect had bitten my child and she was bleeding,” revealed Nagamma. She insisted on taking back her child, but was told that she can’t take the child back.
That’s when she met people at ARZ and revealed her tale. ARZ in turn got in touch with CRG, Bailancho Saad and Sandarsh organisation and approached Preet Mandir. Under pressure from the NGO’s, Preet Mandir was forced to return Nagamma’s child on August 11, 2005.
Nagamma got back her daughter but everyone is not as lucky as her. We faxed few questions to Preet Mandir with regard to Nagamma’s case. YV Krishnamurthy, General Manager of Preet Mandir replied to the same.
Question: In the first affidavit, issued on June 16, 2005 you show Nagamma Bedgiri’s age as 18 and in the final affidavit on August 3, 2005 you state her age as
being 17. Why this discrepancy? And if she is a minor (as she herself claims to be) did you follow proper procedures before taking her child in your home?
Preet Mandir (PM) replies: The affidavit dated July 30 2005 (and not June 16, 2005 as stated under the query) is executed before the notary public by Nagamma Bed Giri, while she came to relinquish the child with our Goa unit. The subsequent affidavit dated August 3, 2005 deliberately states her age as seventeen years because she was deliberately asked to change her stand with regard to her age by five other NGOs whose representatives accompanied her along with her mother and demanded that the child be returned back.
This subsequent affidavit dated August 3, 2005 has been executed by Nagamma Bed Giri herself disclosing her age as seventeen years at the time of taking back the child. In view of these facts the variation in the age of Naggamma Bed Giri is entirely due to the executant and Preet Mandir is not accountable for the same. There was no reason for Preet Mandir to doubt the first Affidavit and the bonafide of the mother who came to relinquish the child.
Naggamma Bed Girl is educated upto 4th standard and she is not fluent in reading Marathi language accordingly, the version in Kannada language of Affidavit dated 3rd August 2005 is also accompanied with the affidavit dated 30th July, which she has duly been signed and then there was no reason to doubt the authority of the version as set out in the affidavit dated 30th July 2005.
BUT: Doesn’t a respectable trust like Preet Mandir, working for the rehabilitation of orphan as well as women in need, have to maintain proper records and verify the age claims properly. If they are right (as they claim to be) do they really need to budge under pressure from NGO’s and change Nagamma’s age?
Question: You claim that you had a certificate of
Directorate of Health Services (Cottage Hospital, Chicalim) which states Nagamma’s age as 18 years, 4 months. But the date on the certificate is August 3,
2005. But the date on which you took Nagamma’s baby, Goa is July 30, 2005 is prior to that date Did you make any effort to counter check her real age?
PM replies: Naggamma Bed Giri was suffering from some kind of disease, she was asked to obtain medical certificate for her medical fitness from competent doctor in order to maintain the medical history of the child. The certificate mentioned by you in the query is in that context The fact as stated under query again do not raise any doubt with regard to the age of Naggamma Bed Giri but the age stated in the Medical Certificate further confirms that she is a major, which is the first version dated July 30, 2005.
BUT: Nagamma claims that she had never produced this certificate nor was she ever taken to Cottage Hospital, Chicalim. So how can a certificate be produced without her knowledge. Besides, Naggamma Bed Giri is not suffering from any sort of disease. Yes, when she urged that she wanted to breast feed her child, she was taken for a blood test. Unfortunately, the poor soul didn’t even realise that they were doing an HIV/AIDS test, as she was not even given pre or post counselling.
Question: Preet Mandir is a registered home under Goa Children’s Act. You are not an adoption agency, then why did you ask Nagamma to sign papers stating “…I am giving in writing that I am handing over my child on 30 July, 2005 to Preet Mandir, Goa. The organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her…. If I don’t contact within two months then you have to take this as my legal affidavit in affirmation of which I am signing below.” (she knew nothing of what she was signing)
PM replies: As already stated under reply to the query No.1 above pending grant of certificate/ license under the Goa Children Act and the Rules framed there under, pursuant to our application dated 23rd October 2004 under Sec.6 of the said Act the declaration obtained form Naggamma Bed Giri is neither objectionable nor the same requires any further explanation in view of the fact that the interim license dated 10th November 2004 permitted us to start our activities as per prescribed laws. Hence the query-raised is already explained above in view of the reply to query No.1 and this query does not arise separately which is repeatedly in nature.
BUT: Secretary, Women and Child categorically stated that section (6) of Goa Children’s Act doesn’t deal with adoption. So how did Preet Mandir ask Nagamma to sign papers stating that the organisation can give my daughter in the country/outside the country and to any person from any caste, religion who can rehabilitate her.
Question: Our investigations reveal that Preet Mandir, Goa has already taken seven kids in the shelter home to give in for adoption and have also started registering people interested in adopting these kids. But can you really do this, especially since you are not a registered agency for adoption?
PM replies: Under your query Preet Mandir, Goa is described as shelter home, which is factually in-correct.
But: Rajani Verenkar, Social Welfare Officer, Department of Women and Child said, “Preet Mandir is only registered under section 6 of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, which gives them permission to take in a child for shelter and rehabilitation. But they can’t take children for adoption under this Act”. However, Preet Mandir neither denies nor accepts that it has already taken seven kids in the shelter home to give in for adoption and have also started registering people interested in adopting these kids.
(This article first appeared in Gomantak Times, Panaji- The author can be contacted at preetunair@yahoo.com)
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