FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
PANJIM, OCT 19
Notwithstanding consequences it faced in the Margao blast at a function to slay demon Narkasur in October 2009, Sanatan Sanstha (SS) plans to launch fresh campaign against the event of ‘glorifying’ the demon.
“Our campaign is against glorification of Narkasur. We want that Lord Krishna who killed the demon should be glorified,” Sanatan managing trustee Virendra Marathe told reporters today.
Marathe claimed that Narkasur-slaying competitions have not only mushroomed in recent years but have also been commercialized, which glorify the demon instead of the Lord.
Several huge and small Narkasur effigies are made and burnt on every Diwali eve to mark the legendary battle wherein Krishna had killed the demon. Every lane and by-lanes have the demon’s effigies made by groups of people, mostly youth.
The display of Narkasur effigies, usually seen at competitions is dramatically assassinated by another effigy of Lord Krishna, which is more sedate and smaller.
“We are not against Narkasur effigies but it should not be glorified. Our campaign will be peaceful and educative,” he reiterated.
He said that the campaign will be supported by several from another Hindu right-wing organization - Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
On October 16, the State observed first anniversary of the blast, which claimed lives of two Sanatan members Malgonda Patil and Yogesh Naik when an improvised explosive device (IED) accidentally exploded while they were allegedly ferrying it to the crowded area where the Narkasur slaying competition was being held at Margao.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its chargesheet said that the explosion was carried out to create fear in the minds of the people attending Narkasur competition and booked 13 Sanatan members in the case.
