Staff Reporter
Margao
A day after a protest outside his residence, a large number of people came out in support of writer, legislator and intellectual Uday Bhembre on Saturday.
Some members of the Bajrang Dal had on Friday night staged a protest at Bhembre’s residence over his video on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Several prominent persons including politicians, legislators, writers, and thinkers, voiced their condemnation of the incident and expressed support to Bhembre’s right to freedom of expression.
The gathered political figures and intellectuals also raised concerns about the growing intolerance towards differing opinions and the importance of upholding freedom of expression within the state.
South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, legislators Vijai Sardesai and Altone D’Costa, and former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro, were among those who visited Bhembre at his residence on Saturday to offer their support. Writers from across the state also joined in expressing their solidarity.
Goa Forward Party president and MLA Vijai Sardesai said, “It appears that they used political pressure to go to a senior citizen’s house at night. This is not accepted in my constituency. In a democracy, everyone has the right to speak. If anybody has a problem with his videos there has to be a healthy debate. We want Goa to remain as Goa, and we all should unitedly fight for it. Intimidation is not a Goan culture,” He further expressed disappointment that the Chief Minister had not yet met Bhembre in this regard. Sardesai also warned against attempts to silence dissenting voices.
MP Viriato Fernandes said, “This is an attack on the freedom of expression, which is guaranteed in the Constitution. The CM should speak. Is this the Goa we wanted to keep for the future generation? This incident shows in which direction Goa is taken. I condemn this incident.”
“Bhembre is a senior citizen. What happened yesterday was certainly condemnable and is not a Goan culture,” said Faleiro. Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira and writer Sandesh Prabhudesai also condemned the incident.
