In a heart-wrenching incident, Benaulim constituency has been thrust into the spotlight following the tragic death of 41-year-old Jenito Vaz, who fell victim to the brutality of two raging bulls.
As a 10-year-old boy mourns the loss of his father, a young wife pleads for time to reverse its course, and elderly parents grapple with burying their son, the community finds itself haunted by a stark reality.
The blood of Jenito Vaz stains the hands of those who endorse and support the sadistic pleasure derived from these brutal bullfights. In particular, the Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas, stands accused of having blood on his hands. The responsibility is not his alone though; it extends to the police force and the Alemao clan.
In the hours leading up to Jenito's tragic demise, Venzy Viegas had advocated for the legalization of 'dhirio' in Goa, drawing inspiration from Kerala's sanctioning of 'Jallikattu.'
The Benaulim MLA, elected to power in 2022, found himself at odds with bull owners and 'dhirio' enthusiasts. In a bid to secure their votes, he championed their cause, going as far as presenting a Private Members Bill in the Assembly to legitimize these gruesome bullfights, fully aware that 'dhirio' is banned by the highest court in India. In this pursuit, MLA Viegas is now stained with the blood of Jenito Vaz.
The extent to which Venzy Viegas is willing to go to remain in power becomes apparent when he involves high-profile figures like Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to visit Jenito's family, ostensibly to offer condolences. However, it becomes clear that this is a strategic move to demonstrate political influence to bull owners, urging them to steadfastly support him with their votes. Venzy Viegas's actions are characterized by deceit.
The police also bear responsibility for Jenito's untimely death. Failure to enforce the Supreme Court's ban on 'dhirio' allowed the tragedy to unfold. It is widely known that the police are often complicit, receiving payments from bull owners to turn a blind eye to the illegality. Their delayed response to 'dhirio' events further exposes their collusion.
In the aftermath of Jenito's death, the police prioritized the family's statement over the circumstances surrounding the fatal bullfight. The forensic team neglected to collect blood samples from the 'dhirio' site, revealing a blatant disregard for justice. Frivolous charges of 'death caused by negligence' have become the standard escape route for those involved.
The prevalence of illegal activities is sustained by the unholy alliance between politicians seeking votes and police looking to profit. The pursuit of power often leads politicians to endorse illegalities, while the police willingly turn a blind eye for financial gain.
Enter Warren Alemao, Churchill Alemao's nephew, and known muscle-man. Warren, having fallen out with his uncle, seeks to carve his political path, unapologetically supporting the savage and blood-filled bullfights. His past actions, challenging the police and administration to organize bullfights on his birthday, underscore his penchant for violence.
In the face of overwhelming evidence, Warren attempted to manipulate the narrative by falsely claiming that Jenito died at home, not during the bullfights. His comparison of himself to Jenito's son, both now fatherless, rings hollow in the wake of his father's death during an illegal activity.
For the likes Venzy Viegas and Warren Alemao, the pursuit of power seems to justify backing even the most heinous illegalities, leaving a grieving community in the wake of tragedy.
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