Konkani Organizations and Civil Society stage protest against attack on former MLA and Sahitya Acade

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pics by Alphonse Mendonca
Bellevision Media Network

Madgaon, Goa, 02 March 2025: In a show of strength and solidarity various Konkani Organizations and Civil Society staged protest against attack on former MLA and Sahitya Academy Awardee Uday Bhembre on Sunday, 02 March 2025 at 5 pm at St. Sebastian Open Floor, near Chowgule College Junction, Madgaon in support of  democracy, free speech and  Uday Bhembre.

 

The protest meet was attended by a large number of progressive groups and free-thinking Goans participated in the protest meeting.  The  protest meeting was opened by  Anant Agni, renowned compere, Konkani author and educationist who narrated the background of the unsavoury incident at the residence of  87 years old widely respected Konkani writer Uday Bhembre led by Right-wing  groups  trespassing his residence at night at around 9.30 pm and pressurising him to apologise in public  on Friday, 28 February 2025. 

 

A number of speakers starting with Mrs. Ratnamala Diukar-President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa and followed by  Prakash Naik-Convener of Konkani Rakhan Dal,  Vikas Bhagat-Youth Leader, Fr. Mozis D. Ataide-President of All India Konkani Parishad, Damodar Mauzo- Jnanapeeth and Sahitya Academy Awardee and Prashant Naik Social Activist and Community Leader.

 

Each of the speakers condemned the unlawful assembly in front of the residence of Uday Bhembre and sloganeering against him for his video in which he had clarified certain misconceptions. On seeing the supporters of Uday Bhembre gathering in large numbers and police arriving the Right-wing protesters against Uday Bhembre dispersed and gathered at another place where they used abusive language against the renowned Konkani writer and burnt his effigy. 

The controversy had its origin in Shiv Jayanti celebrations in Goa during which the Chief Minister of Goa was believed to have made certain claims that Chatrapati Shivaji ruled over most of the parts of Goa and not the Portuguese who ruled over only three talukas. Moreover, the Chief Minister further claimed that it was Chatrapati Shivaji who prevented the conversion of Goans to Christianity as he ruled over most parts of Goa.

 

In his video in his YouTube channel ‘Jagor’, Uday Bhembre clarified the historical distortions concerning Chatrapati Shivaji’s role in Goa by referring to the authoritative and authentic historical sources such as Pissurlencar’s book “Portuguese Mahratta Relations” and the Gazetteer of Goa and pointed out   that the claims that were made by the Chief Minister were not correct and misleading. This video of Uday Bhembre infuriated the Right-wing activists who not only protested in front of his residence but also demanded an apology and later burnt his effigy.

 

The speakers at the Protest Meeting, while narrating the incidents of intimidation of Uday Bhembre by the Right-wing agitators pointed out the erosion of Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution especially, the Freedom of   Expression and democratic process. They stressed on the fact that if there was any disagreement over what Uday Bhembre had presented in his video, the Right-wing activists had all the right to counter his video through democratic means justifying their views. The action of the Right-wing elements manifests the fact that historical facts are being distorted for communal and political ends and the communal harmony of Goa is under threat. All the speakers stressed on the harmonious and peaceful relations that exist between people of Goa belonging to different religious communities. 

 

At the end of the Protest Meet, Prashant D. Naik put forward four resolutions including police protection of Uday Bhembre and FIR and arrest of those who indulged in trespassing the residence of Uday Bhembre, using abusive language against him and burning his effigy. All the participants unanimously passed these Resolutions by raising their hands.

 

The participation of quite a large number of representatives from different Konkani organizations, intellectuals and members of the Civil Society in support of Uday Bhembre manifests the respect and  honour commanded by the octogenarian  Konkani writer, son of legendary freedom fighter and a Sahitya Academy  Awardee. 

 

Among the others, the protest meet was attended by HM Pernal-Editor of "Kittal.com’ web-portal and ’Arso’ monthly magazine from Mangalore. Later, he visited the residence of Uday Bhembre and had a brief interaction with him.