From a path in Chorao to the floor of the Assembly

Panjim: A years-long struggle faced by the Bhomkar family of Chorao over basic access rights did not end merely as a local dispute. Instead, it went on to shape public discourse across Goa and ultimately contributed to a key legislative reform, with the Goa Legislative Assembly passing a strengthened amendment to the Goa Mundkars (Protection from Eviction)(Amendment) Act in its latest session.

THE CHORAO DISPUTE THAT SPARKED WIDER ATTENTION

The issue first surfaced when the Bhomkar family, traditional mundkars residing on an ancestral property in Chorao for generations, alleged that neighbouring property owner Gaurav Bakshi had blocked their customary access pathway, severely affecting their right to movement and access to essential amenities such as water.

Despite repeated representations to local authorities, the matter remained unresolved for a prolonged period, highlighting systemic gaps in the protection of mundkars’ rights on the ground.

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THE ‘VOICE – FOR GOEM’ STEPS IN

The turning point came when The Voice – for Goem, a Goa-based media channel, took up the issue and gave sustained coverage to the Bhomkar family’s plight. Through ground reports, interviews, and follow-ups, the channel consistently highlighted how loopholes in existing tenancy laws allowed powerful interests to harass and marginalise protected tenants.

By placing the Bhomkar case within the larger context of Goa’s unresolved mundkarial disputes, The Voice – for Goem ensured the issue did not fade into obscurity. The channel’s reportage amplified the family’s voice, mobilised public opinion, and compelled policymakers to acknowledge that the problem was not isolated, but structural.

Media observers and civil society groups later described this intervention as a textbook example of public-interest journalism, where sustained reporting directly influenced governance and legislative priorities.

ALLEGED THREAT CALL AND POLICE ACTION

Following the channel’s coverage, Gaurav Bakshi allegedly attempted to threaten Vishwanath Nene, Chief Editor of The Voice – for Goem, over a phone call, objecting to the media outlet taking up the issue.

Based on a complaint by Nene, the matter was taken up by the police, who registered it as a non-cognizable offence. Subsequently, a chapter case was also filed against Bakshi as a preventive measure, underscoring the seriousness with which the authorities viewed the alleged attempt to intimidate the press.

The incident triggered strong reactions within journalistic circles, raising concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists reporting on sensitive public-interest issues.

GOA UNION OF JOURNALISTS EXTENDS SUPPORT

The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) stepped in to express solidarity with The Voice – for Goem and its editor, demanding a fair and impartial inquiry into the alleged threat. GUJ reiterated that intimidation of journalists for performing their professional duties was unacceptable and posed a direct threat to democratic values.

The union’s intervention further amplified the issue, reinforcing the role of the media as a watchdog and strengthening public resolve to see the matter addressed at a policy level.

PUBLIC PRESSURE AND LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE

As the case gained traction, similar grievances from other mundkar families across Goa surfaced, reinforcing the demand for urgent reform. During the winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly (12 to 16 January, 2026), the state government introduced and passed an amendment to the Goa Mundkars (Protection from Eviction) Act.

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The amendment makes it mandatory for landlords (bhatkars) to obtain the explicit consent of mundkars before transferring or selling any dwelling house occupied by them. Any transfer carried out without such consent has now been declared null and void, closing a loophole that had enabled disputes like the one faced by the Bhomkars.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and the Revenue Department cited growing public concern and long-pending mundkarial cases as reasons for bringing the amendment, acknowledging the need to prevent future conflicts arising from arbitrary property transfers.

‘THE VOICE’ VICTORY, A PEOPLE’S VICTORY

For The Voice – for Goem, the passage of the amendment stands as a significant milestone. The channel described the reform as a victory for people-centric journalism, reaffirming the role of independent media in safeguarding constitutional and social justice.

For the Bhomkar family and countless other mundkars in Goa, the law represents long-overdue recognition of their rights, a safeguard ensuring that access, dignity and security of tenure cannot be undermined by unilateral actions.

What began as a fight for a pathway in Chorao has, thus, become a landmark moment in Goa’s tenancy law history, proving that when people’s voices are amplified responsibly, policy change can, and does, follow.