Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Apr 23: Amid mounting complaints about the substandard renovation of Goa’s prestigious Kala Academy, cultural activists from the Kala Rakhan Mand have announced an upcoming ‘Supari’ protest, citing Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s failure to meet the task force appointed to probe alleged irregularities.

At a press conference held outside the entrance of the Kala Academy on Tuesday, prominent members of the Kala Rakhan Mand — including coordinator Devidas Amonkar, secretary Cecil Rodrigues, and members Francis Coelho, Sandesh Prabhudesai, and Dnyanesh Moghe — voiced their frustration over government inaction.

Amonkar pointed out that although Rs 70 crore was spent on renovation, glaring flaws in the infrastructure persist. “We formed the Kala Rakhan Mand to highlight these issues. Despite our efforts, the authorities, including the Minister of Art and Culture Govind Gawde, dismissed our concerns,” he said.

Following public outcry and protests, CM Sawant formed a task force under the leadership of Vijay Kenkare to investigate the complaints. However, six months have passed without any meeting with the Chief Minister. “We had submitted 16 demands. Despite repeated appeals, the task force has received no cooperation from departments like PWD, Kala Academy, and Art and Culture,” said Prabhudesai.

The group criticized the continued rejection of demands for a structural audit. “Consultants are being brought in from outside, but real issues like air-conditioning failures during performances — including one by Bharat Jadhav — are being ignored,” Amonkar added.

The group also condemned Minister Gawde’s controversial comment labelling veteran actor Sharad Ponkshe a “supari baaz.” “Such statements are an insult to Goa’s artistic community, its audience, and journalists,” said the activists.

The originally planned protest on Wednesday was postponed due to the deferment of Tiyatra Day celebrations. Instead, the group announced they will soon launch a symbolic ‘Supari’ protest to highlight government apathy and demand accountability for the ?70 crore public expenditure.

“We are peaceful, but we will not remain silent,” Amonkar asserted, adding that only one contractor had responded to the task force’s summons, indicating widespread evasion.

The protest reflects growing discontent within Goa’s artistic circles, as they continue to fight for transparency, quality, and respect in public cultural infrastructure.