Electoral integrity
Whether logic works amid political hostility, violence, and anger is doubtful, but common sense must prevail. Free and fair elections are essential to democracy, giving citizens the option for change. The primary issue lies with the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls: it is rushed, lacks transparency, and disenfranchises lakhs of voters through improper conditions on Form 6. Suspicion grows as the government shields the CEC with lifetime immunity and removes the CJI from the selection panel, while the Supreme Court examines red flags raised by other election commissioners. Meanwhile, dissent is crushed. Authorities in Goa deny peaceful protest permissions, close sites like Azad Maidan, and block prominent citizens led by retired Justice Ferdinand Rebello. Police brutality and detaining student protesters reflect heavy-handed suppression. While foreign interference remains possible, twisting statements, blowing matters out of proportion, and manhandling citizens are unwelcome.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Centre under fire
The BJP-led central government faces an unprecedented downward spiral following an Opposition-led surge. This momentum began when Abhijeet Dipke founded the satirical Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in response to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant comparing the unemployed youth to “cockroaches”. Mobilising alongside student leaders like Neha Bora (AISA) and the Congress against NEET paper leaks, this platform forced Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The political focus has now shifted to demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accused of orchestrating irregularities through the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. Despite government attempts to suppress protests by locking down Jantar Mantar, the INDIA bloc—led by Rahul Gandhi—staged a massive ‘Chalo Dilli – March for Democracy’ in Delhi. Although the Supreme Court issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi emphasising judicial integrity, combined pressure from CJP and the Opposition has severely weakened the BJP’s dominance, signalling widespread public dissent.
Bidyut K Chatterjee, Faridabad
Water woes
The state government appears to be sending conflicting signals regarding the availability of water. While officials maintain that there is sufficient water and urge the public not to panic, the government is simultaneously considering a ban on swimming pools and has constituted a task force to address the situation arising from a rainfall deficit. Such contradictory messages are bound to create confusion and anxiety among the people. The government has also appealed to residents to avoid using treated water for non-essential activities such as gardening and washing vehicles. These measures raise a pertinent question. If Goa has sufficient water, why are such restrictions being contemplated? Instead of merely reassuring the public, the government must come clean on the actual water situation and provide transparent information about reservoir levels, groundwater availability and the likely impact of deficient rainfall in the coming months. At the same time, the government must look beyond temporary restrictions and explore sustainable solutions to address recurring water shortages.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Message from a cutout
Recently, I visited the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary with our college students. On our way to the trekking destination, I saw a cutout of a politician, ten to twelve metres tall, welcoming visitors to the village. I had never seen such a huge cutout in our state. What was the intention behind putting up such a massive cutout? What message did the leader want to convey through it? For the voters, the message seems simple: Although I am your representative, I do not belong to your category. I possess a special kind of power and status. It reminds me of a famous line from George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Perhaps the leader considers himself a member of the more equal category. And what message does such a display convey to visitors? You are entering our kingdom. The feudal system might have been abolished, but its mindset seems to survive. We may live in a democracy, but sometimes the symbols of our public life remind us of a feudal era.
Kuldeep Kamat, Porvorim
Surviving poverty
The structural imbalance between the wealthy and the poor constitute a deeply entrenched socioeconomic disorder. Removing poverty is akin to saving the earth and boosting the economy. Not to mention securing justice because overcoming this condition is much more than charity. Surviving on less than $3 per person per day at 2021 purchasing power parity is defined as extreme poverty by the United Nations. The poverty-stricken nations are keen that the rejection and humiliation faced by the poor should be things of the past. In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 17 as International Day of Eradication of Poverty.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
