PARENTS DEFEATED THE BANDH BY ACCOMPANYING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL by Nisser Dias

The all Goa bandh called by the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) to coincide with the re-opening of the academic year 2011-2012 to protest the government’s decision to extend grant-in-aid to government and aided schools who adopt English as one of the medium of instruction (MOI) was defeated by the parents as they defiantly refused to boycott school. The parents unitedly took their children to schools all over the state to mark high percentage of attendance and also to convey a message to the protestors that they do not have the support of the parents.
Members of BBSM, BJP, MGP, Shiv Sena and all those who actively supported the bandh might shout from roof tops that it was successful but what should be the parameters to decide its success. Should it be blocking of highways, forcibly shutting down business establishments, stoning and damaging government property, threatening motorists or should it be the attendance in schools. If the latter is taken as the sole parameter to decide the success then all those supporting the bandh have failed miserably. If the attendance in schools is taken as the parameter to decide the success of the bandh then the parents have outright rejected BBSM and embraced the decision of the government giving a choice to parents to educate their children.
Furthermore businessmen and entrepreneurs have not downed shutters willingly or to show solidarity with the protestors. They have done so out of fear of hooligans and goons who have entrenched themselves in communal political parties like the BJP, MGP and Shiv Sena. For example BJP’s candidate in Margao Sharmad Raiturkar was shown on local channels threatening and coercing shop owners who defied the bandh call to close down or face the consequences. And police instead of giving protection to the businessmen looked as if they were personal body guards of Raiturkar. Another personality of the saffron party who was leading BJP vagabonds and hooligans was Rupesh Mahatme who has loads of experience in vandalism and is alleged to have been a member of the Goan team that had taken part in the demolition of Babri Masjid.
Another aspect of the bandh is that, the BBSM have been successful in using force and violent means to close business establishments in the state to the extent that many of the goons barged into various banks and manhandled staff and forced them to close. However though most of the entrepreneurs and banking staff saw to it that they dropped their children to school. I expected Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar one of the most qualified person in the state to display some dignity and maturity but he himself was part of the hooligans and protestors roaming the streets to forcibly closed down establishments and paralyze the state.
Infact Manohar Parrikar has no moral right to participate in the bandh as in 2009 All Goa Unaided Schools Parents Association (AGUSPA) had brought to his notice about the exploitation of parents by managements of private unaided school and also the lack of opportunity for the lower section of the society to study English. He promised a discussion but never got round to doing it for almost two years.
His attitude brings a question to my mind, does education in Marathi of which he is strong believer, inculcates intolerance, violence and hooliganism. Otherwise why did Parrikar and BBSM fail to demand a special assembly session to debate the matter before resorting to bandh? Why did they not approach the High Court through writ petition before causing hardship to the general public and loss to the state. This would have an educated approach rather than using force to close down business establishment, paralyzing movement and indulging in vandalism.
Ultimately, the protestors has achieved nothing by resorting to bandh on the contrary they have lost their credibility and also sympathy from the general public.
Shashikala Kakodkar a staunch supporter of Marathi who was by her father’s side to merge Goa with Maharashtra has allegedly made some communal statements like the government’s decision to give a choice to the parents is an appeasement to the minority community. I simply cannot understand why the minority is being targeted, if a demand is made for Romi script, the minorities are blamed, demand for English as one of the mediums of instruction fingers are pointed at minorities. Has this protaganist of Marathi and lover of Maharashtra ever stopped to think or rather check the percentage of students from the majority community attending English medium private schools, has she the answers to the high percentage of students from majority community attending schools run by minorities who are dedicatedly imparting education to students irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It would better for septuagenarian Shashikala to check the fact and figures before trying to communalize the issue and bring about a divide in the peaceful co-existence of communities in the state.
Secondly her MGP party legislator Transport minister Sudin Dhavlikar is on record stating that he would quit the cabinet if the government extends grant-in-aid to government and aided schools adopting English as MOI even though his children are being educated through English medium. Parents who fought for the inclusion of English as MOI are waiting for his resignation.
Conclusively, the purpose of all Goa bandh resorted to by BBSM and actively supported by BJP, MGP and Shiv Sena was defeated by the people and the parents by sending them to school on the opening day of the academic year 2011-2012. - HD

11 comments:

Anand Desai Mopa said...

The members of BBSM, BJP, MGP and Shiv Sena are nothing but terrorists. The bundh was a total failure for terrorists but a victory for parents. Terrorising business and lives of Goan Citizens puts the right wing Hindu groups in par with Bin Laden’s international terrorist organisation. The Police and Congress did not have the balls to protect Goans from terrorists.

Dalia said...

Now let us not forget that the so called bandh was supported by the Kamat Government or else they would have issued stern warnings to the trouble makers. Kamat is a spineless soul ruling Goa at the mercy of the criminals and rouges. I hope the next election will see the exit of this airconditioned public toilet.

David Leitao said...

This what the late Winston Churchill had to say during a debate in British Parliment on the grant of independence o India in 1947. I quote " Liberty is man's birth right. However to give the reins of Government to Congress at this juncture is to hand over the destiny of hungry millions into the hands of rascals, rogues and freebooters. Not a bottle of water or a loaf of bread shall escape taxation only air will be free and the blood of these hungry millions will be on the head of Mr Atlee. India will be lost in political squabbles..... It will take a thousand years for them to enter the perphery of philosphy or politics. Today we hand over the reins og government to men of straw of who no trace will be found after a few years"  Unquote

One hopes the Goa Government and their High command listens to warning of Late Winston Churchill and tries to prove him wrong.
But I doubt look at the elected representaives we send to the legialative assembly  Diggu Kaka, Chorchill, Micckey de Ratol, Monsterrat de Taliban, Parrikar ( RSS ) Babu Azgaonkar (loudmouth ), Sexy Vishwajeet, Mummy, Fresh Agnelo Fernandes, Illegal mining expert Joking Alemao, Laxmi Parsekar, Damu Naik, Modkoikar (Vanxim scam ), Suanstha Dhavlikar, Cricket buffon Narvekar  and what have you !!! Bravo Late Winston Churchill your prophecy is being fullfilled overtime in Goa !!!!! This won't hurt these thick skinned politicians these are only pin pricks for them !!!! Shameless lot !!!! Goans do not be like dumb driven cattle be Heroes in your stride taken on these good for nothing 40 MLA scoundrels !!! Power to you Nisser keep up the good fight !!!

Anonymous the VIII said...

You have missed out on the BIGGEST supporter of the Bandh. It was but common sense. A Chief Minister allowing his own constituency of Margao to be allowed to close down. To instruct the Police not to do anything but remain silent spectators when the agitators block the roads or threaten any open shops to close down. You do not believe? See here:
 




http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaghantis/5809522036/in/photostream/


 


and  http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaghantis/5808958677/in/photostream/


 


and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaghantis/5808958931/in/photostream/ 









Any
Legal action taken against these violators for trampling on Rights of the
public? WHY? Because Digamber is a two timer. I will not be surprised if
Congress government falls, and then he jumps back to the BJP on condition of
giving him the chair.

Crilq8 said...

It is the great victory of Parents of Goan Children.Politicians have learned some lesson on it so everyone is quite now after the band. They know theyhave  lost moral support from the public. BBSM came on road to protect the culture of Goa, But instead they have shown their true culture which is goondaism. Why cant we take the example of parent to teach a lesson to our MLA. If BJP, MGP and NCP are supporting to BBSM then why cant they resigned from cabinet and as MLA and ask fresh mandate from public. Why are These MLA are  quite now  as you feared of lossing at next election? Well done parents by sending your children to school and even accompaning them to the school on first day.

Crilq8 said...

It is the great victory of Parents of Goan Children.Politicians have learned some lesson on it so everyone is quite now after the band. They know theyhave  lost moral support from the public. BBSM came on road to protect the culture of Goa, But instead they have shown their true culture which is goondaism. Why cant we take the example of parent to teach a lesson to our MLA. If BJP, MGP and NCP are supporting to BBSM then why cant they resigned from cabinet and as MLA and ask fresh mandate from public. Why are These MLA are  quite now  as you feared of lossing at next election? Well done parents by sending your children to school and even accompaning them to the school on first day.

Anonymous the VIII said...

Goa Goverment is asking who is this Winston, cigarette packet?
They know Churchill from Fatorda grounds.:-)

Gobor said...

 NISSER YOU AND YOUR FATHER  LAUCHED A TIRADE AGAINST LUIZINHO ABOUT "ZUG-MOBOR" ISLAND. WHY ARE YOU NOT  LAUNCHING A SIMILAR TIRADE AGAINST  DARLING CHARCHILL?  KUDOS TO YOU FOR PUTTING VIDYA VIKAS ACADEMY  IN LINE ANYWAY. LIKE FATHER LIKE SON.  KEEP WRITING DUDE.

Nisar786 said...

churchill and degu are bastards

Nisserdias said...

IN MOST OF MY ARTICLES I HAVE TAKEN DIGS AT CHURCHILL ALEMAO. INFACT THE ARTICLE BEFORE THIS WAS EXPOSING FOR TRYING TO ROB CREDIT FOR MOI.

Usko Goenkar said...

Totally agree with you man, i have not seen that AC Toilet yet, does it really work? wonder if one have praises for Kamat after downloading their crap in the cool..... just hate that idea of an AC Toilet, when so much other changes can be done in and around Margao, i had Friends visiting Goa last year from Another Country, went to buy some fish at the new Market.... gosh that area looks worst then Sosdo... why could he not use that Money to tidy that place....
 
If the Kamat government and the Varca Family knew bout that Bandh, how come these guys Chicken out and not come in retaliation to stop it from happening in Salcete.... ? that’s a big Question Mark?
 
 

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