Accusing Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar of selectively profiling and targeting lamanis, a nomadic community settled in several States, including Goa, members of the community have now demanded an apology from the Minister.
In a representation to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the Minister himself, the All Goa Banjara Samaj said the comments of the Minister earlier this week, where he said that lamanis should be thrown out of Goa, had hurt their sentiments.
Ajgaonkar, however, told The Pioneer that there was no scope for an apology, because he had not said anything which could be construed for insult.
“Over a period of time it has become a fashion for some people to make derogatory remarks and loose comment against hardworking Banjara (nomad) community particularly lamani people in the media.
The Association demands the Minister should withdraw his statement... “We condemn the Minister’s remark on our community and request you to take it back, which has hurt the sentiments of the entire Banjara community in Goa as well as other parts of the country,” the representation to Ajgaonkar and Parrikar reads.
On Tuesday, Ajgaonkar, who has been newly appointed as a Tourism Minister in the BJP-led coalition Government cabinet, had said that in order to maintain the spirit of Goenkarponn (Goanness), there was need to drive lamanis out of the coastal State, which is known for its beach tourism.
There are nearly one lakh lamanis settled in Goa in addition to the floating population of lamanis who visit Goa during the tourist season to peddle handmade clothes, trinkets and other odds and ends to tourists.
“Outsiders who can uphold Goenkarponn (Goanness) should be allowed to stay, the rest should be chased away. Goa’s culture and Goenkarponn should be retained... These lamani’s should be stopped (from coming to Goa). A wrong message is sent because of them. And the reputation of Goans is spoilt. This has to be done,” Ajgaonkar had said.
“If Ajgaonkar does not apologise we will be forced to come out on the streets and protest. This is a clear case of discrimination against a particular community. The minister has also stated that we are spoiling Goa’s culture. In fact many of us are born and brought up in Goa, possessing all the valid documents of citizenship and have accepted the culture of Goa,” Ravi Banjara one of the office bearers of the All Goa Banjara Samaj said on Friday.
Ajgaonkar however has refused to apologise for his comments. Speaking to The Pioneer, Ajgaonkar said: “There is no question of an apology. I have said nothing wrong. They are called lamanis by everyone in Goa, that’s why I called them lamanis”.