Muslims unhappy over govt stand on Sonsoddo kabrastan

Team Herald

MARGAO: The kabrastan at Sonsodo would be only for the Muslim community from Margao and Fatorda constituency and there would be no masjid constructed there. This decision taken at a special meeting held last month at the official residence of the Chief Minister has not gone down well with some Muslims.

It was also decided that Town & Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai would meet the various groups including those opposed to the kabrastan and subsequently if necessary, the chief minister would have meetings with the groups.

The meeting was attended by the chief minister, Vijai Sardesai, officials from PWD, police, Margao Municipal Council along with representatives of those in favour and those opposed to the kabrastan coming up at Sonsoddo besides representatives of the Archdiocese of Goa and also Felix Dias representing an NGO.

As there were many objections to the kabrastan including the sloppy nature of the land and the proposed construction of a masjid, the chief minister clarified that nothing would be finalized at that meeting but the various groups objecting to the kabrastan would be met separately.

While it was decided that the lease between the MMC and the Muslim community would be annulled and the issue will be dealt with afresh leaving aside all the past objections as the kabrastan would be maintained by the municipality following the cancellation of the lease.

It was also decided to mark each grave at the burial ground and to provide minimum facilities like toilet and water for washing feet besides providing mobile toilets as and when required. It was also decided to isolate the kabrastan land by either constructing a compound wall or planting trees.

However, General Secretary of Madrasa Raz-A-Mustafa Karol Matin is not happy with the decision to have the kabrastan only for the inhabitants of Margao and Fatorda constituency. “My petition before the National Commission for Minorities was for a kabrastan to all people of Salcete,” he said.

“There are 30 villages in Salcete and where will the Muslims living in those villages bury their dead if they are not given land at Sonsodo,” he asked threatening to move the National Commission for Minorities once again.