VASCO: The Sri Sevalal temple of the Banjara community was amongst the 157 structures demolished by the State administration on Saturday. The community members, who were weeping while their houses were being demolished, were shocked when they saw that the temple would end up the same way.
According to the residents, the temple was the first one to be built by the Banjara community in Goa around 40 years ago, and by breaking the temple, the administration had hurt their sentiments.
“It was painful to see the temple getting bulldozed. Not one amongst us obstructed the administration from bulldozing our homes, but the temple, which was a sign of our faith, should have been spared as promised by local MLA Milind Naik,” said a resident.
The temple was one of the last structures demolished. The Banjara community, which could not control their tears, salvaged a few items from the temple, and after offering prayers, returned to their demolished houses in the hopes that that could find undamaged items.
“We condemn the State administration for demolishing our religious structure. This will send a wrong message outside the state and will not be acceptable by the Kannadigas in Goa and in Karnataka,” said Siddanna Meti, president of the Goa Kannada Maha Sangh.
