By Rajan Narayan

AND a few stray thoughts for yet another Saturday. For a Saturday following the week when Prajwal Revanna, allegedly a serial sex molester, was allowed to escape the country by present prime minister, Narendra Modi at the request of former prime minister, Deve Gowda. For a Saturday following the week when a BJP advertisement had the ominous image of a battle tank – the ad featured on the front page of newspapers in Goa. For a Saturday following the week when deep fake videos made the rounds on social media. For a Saturday following the week when the Catholic community celebrated the dismissal of charges against Fr Bolmax. For a Saturday following the week when the new ACs installed at the Central library were not functioning.
AND a few stray thoughts on Prajwal Revanna, allegedly a serial molester, who was allowed to escape the country with the blessings of the our prime minister, Narendra Modi, on the urging of former prime minister, Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda. Prajwal is his grandson.
For over a year there have been charges against Prajwal of molesting women in Karnataka. Several videos of him in action have been circulating since last year. They went viral just before the first phase of elections in Karnataka. The Janta Dal (S) has an alliance with the BJP. On the insistence of Deve Gowda, Narendra Modi gave a ticket to Prajwal to contest the Lok Sabha election from Hassan in Karnataka.
After the first phase of the elections, Prajwal took a flight to Frankfurt in Germany. This is despite the Karnataka police issuing a high alert on him. Prajwal could not have escaped without the consent and knowledge of Narendra Modi. Shockingly, Narendra Modi, who talks so much about “nari shakti,” gave a ticket to an accused in a molestation case.
What is even more shocking is that Prajwal was allowed to escape. The special investigation team set up by the Congress chief minister has discovered that there are dozens of complaints about Prajwal in Karnataka. The second phase of polling is expected to take place in Karnataka later this month.

BATTLE TANK IN BJP ADVERTISING
AND a few stray thoughts on the ominous image of a battle tank on the BJP advertisements which appeared on the front page newspapers in Goa. It would appear that a secure Bharat will be ensured the help of guns and gutter tanks if troubled times. In a democracy, the people are guaranteed a strong nation.
Only dictators need tanks and guns to feel strong and secure. There is increasing fear that a desperate Modi will start a war with Pakistan or China. If the present phase of a low turnout of voters continues, it would suggest that Modi may not even get 200 seats. The only way Narendra Modi can hang on to power is by declaring an emergency. If Modi starts a war he can project himself as a very strong prime minister.
In his speeches, Modi has already prepared the ground. Modi has been claiming that the Congress does not want strong leaders. Also take into consideration that there is increased tension on the Pakistan and China border. Modi has also been openly targeting the Muslim majority community.

CHEATING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES
AND a few stray thoughts on the charges of cheating co-operative societies of more the Rs25,000 crore against Ajit Pawar and his wife Sunetra Pawar which have been withdrawn. Ajit Pawar had revolted against his uncle, Sharad Pawar. Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar is contesting the election in Baramati in Maharashtra against Supriya Sule who is the daughter of Sharad Pawar.
Modi is on record that the only way to break the Indian alliance is to weaken Sharad Pawar. Sharad Pawar is a senior leader in the INDIA alliance. Sharad Pawar believes that his nephew Ajit Pawar was forced by the Enforcement Directorate to join the BJP NDA alliance. Ajit Pawar was also implicated in a Rs75,000 crore irrigation scam. This case has now been closed by the BJP government.
The message going out loud and clear is that if you want to wash away your sins of corruption, leave the Congress and other NDA parties — join the BJP. Indeed, the Congress candidate against whom an FIR for murder was filed, has withdrawn his nomination and joined the BJP just ahead of the elections.

DEEP FAKE VIDEOS
AND a few stray thoughts on the deep fake videos circulating on social media. The latest victim of deep fake video on YouTube is India’s Home Minister Amit Shah. A deep fake video has gone viral, it shows Amit Shah claiming the he will stop all reservations for ST, SC and OBC if the BJP is voted back to power.
This has become a major issue as the Congress has promised to increase reservation beyond the limit of 50% fixed by the Supreme Court. The BJP is accusing the Congress of reducing ST quotas to favor the Muslims of India. For a long time there is been a demand that those who converted to Islam and Christianity from ST and other OBS should also get the benefit of reservation in college admission and jobs.
In Goa tribal Christians have been included in the reservation quota for ST like Velips, Kunbis and Goudas. The PM promised to extend the reservations to the Dhangar community in his speech in Sancoale. However, Amit Shah has other views as per the deep fake video shown on “India Today TV” on April 29 night. It is a fake because Amit Shah is shown in a blue scarf and not a traditional BJP scarf. It is feared that more such deep fake videos will start appearing to throw dust in voters’ eyes.

CELEBRATING FR BOLMAX
AND a few stray thoughts on the Catholic community celebrating the dismissal of charges against Fr Bolmax. More than a year ago Fr Bolmax, a parish priest of Sancoale, was accused of defaming Shivaji Maharaj. Though Fr Bolmax clarified his remarks and even submitted an apology, he was arrested by the Vasco da Gama port town police. Charges were framed against him for creating enmity between Hindus and Christians.
Recently, after a year, the Goa Bench of the Bombay HC dismissed the case against Fr Bolmax. Judges Mahesh Sonak and Vivek Menezes ruled that there was no valid case which could be made out against Fr Bolmax. It may be recalled that some Hindutva elements had started an attack against the Sancoale church. They claimed that a Hindu temple was destroyed here to build the church.
Surprisingly, Cardinal Philip Neri has not made any comment on the dismissal of the case against Fr Bolmax. However, all the parishes in south Goa have been celebrating the dismissal of the case by the high court.

NOISY ASSAGAO NIGHTCLUBS
AND a few stray thoughts on Assagao residents complaining against noisy nightclubs and calling for revocation of their NOC. Putting a united front against any public nuisance in their pristine village, residents of Assagao on Monday, May 1 took their protest against a nightclub a notch higher by writing to the local panchayat and demanding cancellation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the owner of the club.
The locals have made their intention very clear as they engaged in extensive deliberations over last two Sundays, reflecting their unwavering resolve against the noise nuisance at night when they seek blessed sleep. Interestingly, when the villagers marched to the Assagao village panchayat to present a representation against the nightclub, they discovered that both the Sarpanch and Secretary were absent from the office. Undeterred, the villagers submitted a copy of their representation, underscoring their collective disapproval of the proposed establishment.
The representation, signed by over 45 concerned locals, underscored the detrimental impact the nightclub was having not only on Assagao residents’ peace and quiet but also on surrounding villages.
Citing fears of disturbances and conflicts stemming from inebriated patrons, the villagers expressed apprehensions regarding parking chaos and the potential facilitation of illicit activities, including prostitution. Furthermore, the representation highlighted the adverse effects such establishments have on societal values, particularly among youth.
It emphasised the proximity of educational institutions, religious centres, and healthcare facilities, warning of the potential health hazards posed by noise pollution and the disruption of the daily life of the locals.
The looming presence of a nightclub in such close proximity to schools and hospitals should be of grave concern for the powers that be, for this only heightened risks of substance abuse and violent encounters.
A group spokesperson affirmed the unity of Assagao residents in their opposition to the nightclub, saying they are ready to seek legal recourse, if necessary. As tensions escalate and opposition strengthens, the fate of the alleged nightclub hangs in the balance. The feisty Assagao villagers will defend their interests which are for tranquillity and integrity in their village.
And a last stray thought on the new ACs installed at the Central library not functioning. The new AC system was installed in the central library just about a month ago. The state government installed four tower ACs as a temporary solution. The tower ACs have stopped functioning. The result is that the rare books kept at the central library are under threat. Interestingly, there is no annual maintenance contract for the air conditioning system at the Central library. The library is a treasury of rare books. I myself have used it for my books on the Opinion Poll and the Liberation of Goa. It would be tragic if the central library books were destroyed. We would be happy to recommend a reliable contractor for installing maintaining and repairing the air conditioning system in the Central Library.