Goa erupts in defiance as citizens answer Rebello’s call for resistance

Panaji: Justice Ferdino Rebello’s call for a people’s movement ignited an outpouring of anger and resolve in Panaji, as what was scheduled as a public talk turned into a mass assertion that Goa’s land, rivers, hills and identity are not for sale.Speaker after speaker took aim at what they called the systematic plunder of Goa.Lawyer and Padma Shri recipient Norma Alvares said that the dilution of Regional Plan 2021 was an act of betrayal. Prepared by eminent planners, RP2021 demarcates eco-sensitive zones—hills, forests, sand dunes —where development is prohibited, covering 82% of Goa. “This document is our passport to good governance,” she said. “But those in power are unofficially altering it to suit wealthy corporations and real estate interests.

We demand strict adherence to RP2021. No dilution. No backdoor changes.”Architect-activist Tahir Noronha said that Goa was the first state to enact a hill slope protection law in 1997. “Today, that law is being gutted by bad architects and worse governance,” he said, slamming the sweeping powers vested with the chief town planner today. “No bureaucrat should decide which hill lives and which hill dies,” he added.

Activist Usman Khan Pathan criticised the Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) for inaction, insisting on compulsory weekly, fortnightly and monthly inspections, and strict punishment for defective show-cause notices that let violators walk free. “Seal, cancel licences, and systematically demolish illegal structures on beaches,” he demanded.Tribal leader Ravindra Velip said that even when panchayats deny construction licences, “the TCP overrules them, and gram sabhas have no real power”.

“We demand mandatory gram sabha consent for development, additional powers to villages, and notification of all villages as scheduled areas to prevent conversion of agricultural land.”Freedom fighter Rohidas Desai, “We were promised last election that the casinos would be gone from River Mandovi within 100 days. Instead, we got more pollution. Senior citizens want to see the Mandovi as it once was — clean, alive, and dignified.”Dramatist Rajdeep Naik reinforced the principle: No development near natural water bodies. Others demanded accountability for corrupt officers, insisting that even retired officials should lose their pensions if found guilty. As the open session neared its end, the anger in the room surged. The audience members were given an opportunity to voice their fury.RTI activist Rajan Ghate raised the alarm over the River Mhadei.

Lawyer-activist Albertina Almeida demanded that nationally-notified rivers be returned to state control. Another lamented the destruction of communidades. Judith Almeida called for action against shack owners employing non-Goans and a ban on construction of luxury bungalows with swimming pools.As voices rose and tempers flared, Rebello stepped in to restore calm. “My home is open to all,” he said. “Whether it is the RSS chief of Goa or the Congress, anyone can come and share their suggestions (for the people’s movement),” he said, appealing to the public to send him written suggestions for the charter.