Mapuca (Goa): “India has reached the most critical juncture in its history, where rabid communalism is being witnessed, even as people are occupying high chairs and good governance is ignored,” lamented veteran politician and I.N.D.I.A Bloc Congress candidate for North Goa, Ramakant Khalap.
“In this 10 years of BJP rule, this rabid communalism comprising rifts, promoting hatred among religious communities that we see all around appears to have tacit approval of the powers that be. If this continues, it will be end of the world for India” he said, adding that “Our country has abhorred extremism and while our Indian traits highlight harmony and brotherhood, this fabric itself seems to be torn apart and that pains people including me.”
“We sent a person Shripad Naik (BJP) from North Goa to Parliament for 25 years and the party chose to send him again for the 6th time. This is a step against the spirit of tolerance as to how far you can stretch peoples’ patience, and though I have been out of politics for 20 years, I agreed to contest this election against him when asked by the Congress.”
Describing Manipur as the +worst chapter+ in Indian history, he said “We need a change in the Government at the Centre itself, that will be a soothing balm with the right message.”
To a question whether Congress was strong enough to win the elections, Khalap said that a change in the Government was due at the Center and when it happens, it will be a +soothing balm+ for all issues including Manipur.
“People will come out in this election to vote and the Central Government will have to take up these issues. I have been promising people in Goa that I will be their voice in the Parliament in this regard.”
To a question about what was the crying need for Goa at this juncture, he urged for going back to the days when harmony prevailed. “I continue to live in a 110-year-old house in Mapuca in peace and harmony with Hindus, Muslims and Christians and still have no issues with anybody,” he added.
To a question about the need to scrap the +Anti-Conversion law, Khalap noted that “Conversion should be voluntary.”
