Goans to Hold Candlelight Protest Against Land Destruction in Panjim

Panjim, February 6, 2025: Citizens from across Goa will gather at Church Square in Panjim this evening at 5:30 p.m. to stage a candlelight protest. The demonstration is being held to demand that issues related to land destruction and zone changes in Goa be raised and discussed in the upcoming session of the Goa Legislative Assembly. The protest comes in response to the government's decision to limit the budget session to just two days, a move that activists and concerned citizens argue undermines serious environmental and livelihood concerns.

Fr. Bolmax Pereira, a well-known social activist in Goa, emphasized the urgency of the protest while speaking to Catholic Connect over the phone. “The upcoming budget session of the assembly, which has been compressed to just two minimal days by the Goa government, gives a clear indication that the present government is least bothered about our land and livelihood,” he stated.

He further added, “That forces us citizens to come out and demand that the real assets of Goa are protected by doing away with the destructive policies of this government and bringing in policies that provide protection to our ecological assets and restoration of the degraded ones.”

The candlelight protest is expected to draw widespread participation from individuals concerned about the state’s environmental future. Protesters hope to send a strong message that Goa’s land and ecological balance must be preserved. “The environment and land of Goa are worth fighting for,” Fr. Pereira affirmed, calling on all citizens to stand together for the cause.

The protest highlights growing public frustration over alleged government inaction in addressing environmental degradation and zone alterations that could impact Goa’s natural landscape and local livelihoods. Organizers insist that the state must prioritize sustainable development and take immediate steps to prevent further damage to Goa’s ecological heritage.

By Catholic Connect Reporter