Goa Khabar : Senior leaders from the ST and OBC communities have, for long, allowed their communities to be tied to the BJP’s political agenda. That phase must now end. Taking inspiration from the unity displayed in Chimbel, it is time for the Bahujan community and the people of Goa to teach the ruling establishment a lesson. Goa must raise its voice against the BJP government that is destroying the environment and acting in favour of corporate lobbies.
With this clarion call, Amit Palekar, senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, appealed to all Goans to ensure that the resistance ignited in Chimbel reaches every corner of the state.
A massive public meeting was organised in Chimbel today against the BJP-led Goa government. The protest against the government-backed Unity Mall and Administrative Tower received an overwhelming response from citizens. Treating the local struggle as their own, opposition parties across the spectrum participated in the agitation in solidarity with the people.
Present on the occasion were AAP senior leader Amit Palekar; movement convenors Govind Shirodkar, Anna Gracias, Nikita Mardolkar and Brian Gonsalves; AAP Minority Wing Vice President Sarfaraz Sheikh; along with social activists Rama Kankonkar, Shankar Polji and Mariano Ferrao. Four members of the Chimbel Panchayat were also present, excluding the sarpanch-supporting group.
Responding humbly to the people’s struggle, Amit Palekar became emotional while addressing the gathering, delivering his speech while seated on his knees before the crowd.
“Under the scorching sun, mothers have gathered here along with their children—not for politics, but for the protection of Goa. This fight is for the rights of Goans and for our environment. Tomorrow, when future generations evaluate our actions, none of us present here should feel any sense of guilt. This movement must spread across the state,” he said.
His words received an overwhelming and spontaneous response from the people. During the agitation, two resolutions were unanimously passed, warning that if the BJP government fails to change its stance, the people’s movement will be intensified in the coming days.
Several social activists and opposition leaders delivered impactful speeches, strongly criticising the present Goa government and directly targeting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, his ministers, and BJP legislators for their anti-people and anti-environment policies.
