Goa: ‘Government must ban discrimination of widows’

PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said in the next assembly session, there will be a detailed discussion with legislators in the House about curbing the discriminatory practices still prevalent against widows in some villages in Goa.
Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao said that he would introduce a private members’ bill at the next assembly session to have such practices banned in Goa.
Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardesai said that Goa being a progressive state, there should be no place here for such practices.
“There is no law at present anywhere to ban such practices. These are ritual practices which are happening due to some sentiments. Many villages are practicing it. Rather than a law, we should raise awareness about it. Next assembly, we will speak about it in detail. We should speak out against it to raise awareness,” said Sawant.
Margao MLA Digamber Kamat said that the government should consider bringing the bill to abolish the practices, just as Sati was abolished.
It may be recalled that several gram sabhas of village panchayats across Goa recently had passed resolutions to ban discriminatory practices against widows like isolating them from religious events etc after the passing away of their husbands. The gram sabhas had taken a cue from Hervad in Kolhapur.
“It should be ensured that widows are treated on par with married women,” said Alemao.