FRANKLY FRANK: The rain, the push, and breaking point for Goa

The unexpected wet spell that started on May 20 in Goa demonstrated just how vulnerable we are before nature's power. The torrents laid bare our full-scale failures in environmental management.

But, if the unannounced rain wasn't enough, what played out in the open at Odxel in Taleigao constituency on May 20 was far more shameful—a video of the woman MLA of the area pushing another woman, who dared to take up the issue of mud from a hill sliding down into villagers' homes. The woman was acting as a responsible citizen.

The MLA was caught pushing the activist on camera, and she can't deny that she didn’t do it. Yes, she never did. In fact, she told a local daily that she had deservedly pushed the activist.

In the video, the woman activist was seen asking the MLA why she had pushed her. In return, the MLA was heard telling the activist to keep quiet and she wasn't interested in talking to her. The legislator accused her of coming to the spot only to create chaos.

In return, the MLA was heard telling the activist to keep quiet and she wasn't interested in talking to her. The legislator accused her of coming to the spot only to create chaos.

The woman activist was playing her role as a responsible citizen demanding answers for the mud washed down into people's houses, as a consequence of the unchecked above.

In the heat of the moment, whoever may be at fault, a public servant just can't resort to pushing a citizen. The issue can't be brushed aside as it came from a woman in power, and that's what is more worrying and at the same time, disappointing.

The woman activist was playing her role as a responsible citizen demanding answers for the mud washed down into people's houses, as a consequence of unchecked hill-cutting above.

Leadership, regardless of gender, must come with responsibility, not retaliation. When the woman MLA resorted to such an act, it seemed like democracy had come sliding down, much like the very mud from the .

Let’s be frankly frank. That shove was more than an impulsive act. It was a message. And, that message was dangerous. If public servants respond to questions with aggression, what space is left for citizens?

Where is the line between governance and intimidation? Are we still in a democracy, or are we seeing the rise of MLA Raj, where power is worn like a crown and used like a weapon?

Let’s not pretend we didn’t see what happened in that video. If this is how leaders act when the cameras are rolling, what happens when they’re not? This isn’t about one incident, one MLA, or one citizen. This is about the very fabric of our , and it’s starting to look bleak.

Are we seeing the rise of MLA Raj, where power is worn like a crown and used like a weapon?

People must now start asking questions, because if they don't, then tomorrow they may be at the receiving end. The MLA in question was not protecting the people, she was pushing one of them aside. And, when she did that, she pushed away accountability and worked against the principles of dialogue and democracy.

MLAs must remember they are public servants and not monarchs. They must not forget that the very idea of democracy means power to the people. It's high time MLAs start acting like servants.

People must now start asking questions, because if they don't, then tomorrow they may be at the receiving end.

Those not raising their voice today must remember that the price of silence will be too big to pay later. Goa's hills are being shaved more easily than expected because there is no one who is ready to stand up and fight.

If this rain has shown us anything, it is a warning that the months ahead are not going to be easy. Goa has started experiencing situations it had never been subjected to before. If we don't wake up now, natural will be inevitable.

And, more importantly, it is time to vote for the right leadership, not the one that dismisses and disrespects the very people it is meant to serve. Let us remind our leaders that we put them there, and we can remove them, too.