A seed has been sown and it will grow into a tree over the next few days and month, no doubt about that. Yes, on Jan 6, 2026 a full-blown movement to save Goa has just kicked off.
The initial sparks which were lit by former Cuncolim MLA Justice Ferdino Rebello, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court has since grown and is all set to spread far and wide in Goa.
A call to save Goa from the land sharks, stop the corrupt practices and bring accountability in the bureaucracy as well as hold the government accountable while preserving Goa identity, culture was top most on Justice Rebello’s mind when he reached out to the people on the streets.
In the social media world, we live the call went ‘viral’ not only on social media but also in print media with Goan print media and television channels giving it prominent spaces and some newspapers writing editorials about his call.
His call to save Goa going viral underscores the fact people in the coastal state, which hogged the limelight internationally as a tourist paradise with Hippie movements of the 70’s, were looking for a leader to come along and take the masses along with them and launch a people’s movement to save Goa.
A massive turnout at Institute Menezes Braganza Hall in Panjim drove home the point it was not just a viral movement of likes and shares but has its presence on the ground.
A few demands or to be specific ten key charter points were on display at the venue and were spoken by the speakers.
Speakers and citizens demanded immediate action from the government. Saving our hills, mountains, Khazan lands. Resorts which have broken Coastal Regulation Zone regulations areas are to be sealed and demolished. Reversing the decision to nationalize the Goa rivers. Land rights to the tribal people, were some of the key demands listed on the charter.
Justice Rebello, who made it clear that he does not wish to contest any elections and join any political party, said the next step will be forming an organization which will be working to fulfill the charter points.
The name of the organization has not been decided but emphasized that activists, NGOs and other who wish to be part of the organization.
He welcomed the support of political parties but said that people who are part of any political party will not be part of the organization.
He said this movement will spread all over Goa starting from the taluka level in the initial stage to village level committees.
Among the key things which he suggested so as to cut the crucial corruption lifeline, is allowing only Goa residents to buy land in Goa and not allowing non agriculturists to buy agriculture lands in Goa.
He said the Town and Country Planning act controversial Sections 17(2) and 39A which allows zoning changes, change of land use and higher FAR on narrow roads, must be scrapped.
The TCP Act amendments which has resulted in large parcel of Goa land – from hills to Khazan lands – converted to settlement zones and which has been one of the root cause of corruption must be scrapped, he said.
He also urged amendments to the Land Revenue Code along with the striking down of the controversy amendments of TCP Act so as to stop sale of land to non-agriculturists and non-residents Goans.
Among those who spoke were Rohidas Dessai, president of Goa Freedom Fighters Association. The 86-year-old who joined the Goa freedom movement from Portuguese rule as a 14-year-old was not the only freedom fighter present at the venue. Libia Lobo Sardessai, the 101-year-old, another freedom fighter, who was present on the stage felicitated villagers of Arambol, who recently took part in a torch march to protect their hills from falling in the hands of builders.
Tahir Noronha, Norma Alvares, Ravindra Velip, Usman Khan Pathan and Rajdeep Naik were some other speakers who spell some point on the ten-point agenda.
ENOUGH आनीक सोंसूं नेजो IS ENOUGH
- Development only as per Regional Plan/ODP
- Repeal all ‘corruption’ laws permitting change of zoning and user.
- Stop cutting hills. They are peoples’ heritage.
- Fund resources for ‘Carrying Capacity’ survey, before any development.
- No fresh building permissions without 4-hour water supply.
- No development near lakes, ponds, hills & rivers.
- Commission to probe all negative declaration cases of last 5 years.
- Shift all casinos to from Mandovi River.
- Seal all illegal structures in CRZ, cancel licenses, demolish them.
- Dismiss & prosecute all persons / officers /architects/engineers who abet in falsifying records to help developers.
#goa #india, #justice, #corruption, #JusticeRebelloMeet, #TCPAct, #LandLawAmendments,, #SaveGoa, #GoaLand #GoaNews, #CivilRights,, #EnvironmentalConcerns #UrbanPlanning,, #PeopleMovement #LegalReforms #GoaPolitics
Comments