Goa MLA Vijai Sardesai Issues Unconditional Apology Over Assembly Protest Passes
The floor statement followed a ruling that cited CCTV footage plus pass logs tying four arrested Zuari dam protesters to his office.
Overview
- Sardesai delivered the apology in the House on Tuesday after Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar gave him a 24‑hour deadline to do so.
- The Speaker’s order referenced records showing the visitors’ gallery passes originated from Sardesai’s office and cited CCTV of the group’s movements.
- Four people were arrested on March 6 after protesting in the visitors’ gallery against a proposed dam on the Zuari River at Mirabag.
- Gaonkar has barred the four from future entry to the Assembly complex following the incident.
- Sardesai argued MLAs are permitted to issue passes but cannot control pass‑holders’ conduct and suggested the Assembly may need rules clarifying responsibility.