SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In a unique protest, three activists from Goa, from three different religious backgrounds, put up a united protest outside the venue of the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to create awareness about heritage issues in the State, especially the recent protests in Old Goa.
One of these activists, Anthony Da Silva, who has been participating in the chain hunger strike underway at present at Old Goa said, “They were protesting on Sunday outside IFFI to convey their demand for the immediate demolition of the controversial construction project that threatens an international heritage structure.”
Another activist Xencor Polgi said, “IFFI is an international festival and the world needs to know what is happening in Goa and how the construction project could set a bad precedent that could be repeated not just in Goa but the country alone.”
The third activist Iftiyaz Sayyed said, “Their message was for the Chief Minister to protect India’s heritage monuments and protected areas.”
The trio activists, one Catholic, one Hindu and Muslims added that they were trying to send a letter to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in this regard too.
It may be recalled that the Chief Minister has recently attempted to justify how he had no prior knowledge of the illegal structure, a statement that has received criticism from various quarters, especially the Save Old Goa Action Committee, which had submitted a memorandum to his office earlier this year and via email.
They added that their idea was to show that the protest was not restricted to one religious group but is something people from all faiths are agitating against.
Regarding the Old Goa issue, Da Silva urged the government to take action as soon as possible to demolish the structure and avoid employing any delaying tactics.
He said, “Today there is an issue regarding a Church but tomorrow there could be an issue where a mosque or temple could be affected and thus the government has to take steps to protect heritage areas.”
Polgi further demanded that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is more proactive when it comes to protecting such structures.
He questioned if this can happen to a UNESCO protected site that is to be looked after by the ASI, what will be the fate of all ASI structures in Goa and the rest of the country.
The activist also said it is their right to protest and that they had come forward to make their stand clear on behalf of the public irrespective of the chance of getting arrested.
Meanwhile, the ‘Satyagraha’, the indefinite hunger strike at Old Goa entered its fifth day on Saturday. The protestors added that as it was the weekend and more people came to attend the novena masses of St Francis Xavier at Basilica of Bom Jesus, a lot of people had visited them and extended their solidarity to their campaign against the controversial project.
