Goa Legislator Persists with Hunger Strike Amid Legislative Frustration
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, now entering the fifth day of his determined hunger strike, made a poignant appearance at the business advisory committee meeting on Wednesday, arriving in a wheelchair. The legislator directly addressed Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar, explaining that his drastic protest at the town and country planning (TCP) office was a last resort after all attempts to seek solutions through standard legislative channels had failed completely.
Frustration with Departmental Delays Sparks Protest
"We are compelled to hold protests because we consistently fail to receive answers. I communicated this clearly to the speaker," stated Borkar emphatically. He elaborated that the questions posed by legislators to the TCP department are either ignored entirely or suffer from significant delays, which critically hampers any possibility of a detailed and meaningful debate within the legislative House.
"The answers we request from the TCP department simply do not materialize. I presented this issue to the speaker. Fortunately, the speaker provided assurances that, moving forward, this situation will not be repeated. Furthermore, the chief minister indicated that the chief secretary will personally ensure the TCP department furnishes the necessary responses," Borkar informed reporters following the conclusion of the BAC meeting.
Detailing the Protest and Police Action
During the committee session, Borkar provided Speaker Gaonkar with a comprehensive briefing on his ongoing protest, outlining the specific demands of the villagers from Palem-Siridao. He also described the distressing incident where police personnel physically dragged him out of the TCP office premises.
"I informed him that, as the custodian of the House, he must take appropriate action. I emphasized that he has a duty to protect us, the legislators. As the leader of RG in the House, it is my fundamental right to raise questions concerning Section 39A, relevant Bills, and to address the manner in which I was manhandled by the law and order machinery," Borkar asserted.
In response to TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane's comments regarding the need for protesters and MLAs to maintain decorum within government offices, Borkar countered by stating that government officials themselves must uphold decorum when interacting with elected representatives.
Health Precautions and Political Appeals
As a necessary precaution, supporters and fellow protesters were instructed to maintain a safe distance from Borkar, whose immune system is likely weakened after five days without food. Signboards were prominently displayed at Azad Maidan, advising people to avoid direct contact with Borkar and his colleague, Tushar Gawas, who are jointly leading the agitation against Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act.
In a late evening development on Wednesday, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai visited Borkar at Azad Maidan. Sardesai urged his colleague to find a middle ground and end his fast, expressing deep concern for Borkar's health. "For Section 39A to be repealed, the matter must go to the assembly, which is convening in eight days. No one can survive an eight-day hunger strike. I am profoundly worried about his well-being," Sardesai stated.
Ongoing Agitation and Community Support
The protest at Azad Maidan continues unabated, with Borkar and Gawas maintaining their "fast unto death" pledge until the government agrees to scrap the controversial Section 39A. Villagers from Palem-Siridao, along with members of the ST community, remain steadfast at the site, offering moral support by singing songs to uplift the spirits of the two fasting leaders. An ambulance equipped with paramedics and a police contingent remains on standby, highlighting the tense and serious nature of the ongoing demonstration.
