PANAJI, July 23: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar has written an open letter to BJP Goa President Damu Naik, strongly condemning the alleged use of derogatory and abusive language against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during the BJP’s protest outside Congress House.

Questions BJP’s protest at Congress House; says Goa deserves issue-based politics, accountability and respect

Chodankar said every political party has the democratic right to protest, criticise and question its opponents, but political differences must be expressed with dignity and respect. He accused BJP leaders, including ministers and MLAs, of lowering the standards of political discourse through personal attacks.

Questioning the ruling party’s decision to organise a morcha, Chodankar said it was the responsibility of those in power to engage in dialogue with the opposition and address issues concerning citizens. He claimed that people taking to the streets was itself an indication of the government’s failure to address public grievances.

Referring to the E20 fuel controversy, Chodankar took a swipe at the BJP’s “double-engine government”, alleging that its failures were similar to the concerns being raised over E20 fuel. He also alleged that the BJP had diluted its own cadre by inducting elected representatives from other political parties.

“Has the BJP replaced political debate with personal abuse?” Chodankar asked, questioning what message such language sends, particularly to the youth.

The GPCC president also referred to the ongoing controversy over protests by students and youth. He alleged that a BJP vice-president had publicly referred to protesting youth as “termites”. He also recalled Damu Naik’s earlier remarks about the Karapur-Sarvan protesters, alleging that the BJP had developed a pattern of targeting individuals and groups instead of responding to the issues raised by them.

Chodankar further raised the issue of examination paper leaks, claiming that 152 examination papers had leaked over the past ten years. He also referred to the NEET controversy and alleged that it had resulted in student deaths, including that of a student from Goa. He said the government must answer questions raised over examination-related issues instead of attacking the Congress.

Taking exception to the language allegedly used during the BJP protest, Chodankar called upon Damu Naik to publicly explain whether he considered such remarks appropriate. If not, he said, the BJP president should apologise to the people of Goa and uphold the dignity expected from someone holding his position.

Chodankar maintained that the Congress did not believe in personalising political discourse but said it had a responsibility to speak out when public representatives used language that undermined the dignity of democratic debate.

“Goa deserves politics based on issues, accountability, and respect, not abuse,” Chodankar stated, expressing hope that civility would prevail in political discourse in the state.