Sarpanch called Public! Sarpanch called Police!!

August 11, 2008 was one more historical day in the life of Benaulim village. Our dictatorial Sarpanch Carmelin Fernanades called for the meeting to discuss the pending problems with builder wanting to promote mega projects in our village. She circulated invitation to public to come for the meeting as well as brought in 2 buses of Policemen some in full fledged riot gears and armed with riffles.

Panchayat members being questioned by angry Benaulim People. Blame game being played by the Benaulim Panchayat over the question of licences to the mega projects.

And Police to protect Sarpanch alone from the dangers of citizens of Benaulim.
BVAC members in the middle of the emerging conscious citizenry of Goa
Benaulim Panchayat hall was the venue for the historic occasion wherein Sarpanch walked out of the meeting after failing on a number of counts to answer the questions of the villagers. In fact at the beginning of the meeting she even threatened to close down the meeting. And those questioning were publicly accused of instigating villagers!

This police jeep without police tag was patrolling the Panchayat.
Two buses of Police were on duty. One wonder who called them other than the Benaulim Sarpanch.

It was getting late evening when tempers were running high: villagers were loosing patience with the adamant dictatorial Sarpanch inside the hall. Police were called inside the Panchayat hall. Villagers demanded resignation of Sarpanch. She refused and walked out.
Men and women, young and old were present at the panchayat meeting. Sarpanch entirely blamed the panchayat secretaries that go on sick leave.

Women were vocal in demanding resignation of Sarpanch as well as demanding transparency in the functioning of the Benaulim Panchayat. Geraldine Fernanades even declared that Gram Sabha decision against Mega Projects is the law in the village and neither the director nor his deputy has the right to over rule. Gram Sabha decision is supreme.

Benaulim is showing a new light and a new way for a new society in Goa. Citizens in the rest of Goa has so much to learn, it is such an intense inspiration, you do not remain without being moved by these Benaulim People who have refused to be taken for a ride by the powers that be.


Sebastian Rodrigues