PONDA: After seven years, once again all eyes are set on Madkai Navdurga Temple issue. In 2016, after the Marcaim Navadurga Sansthan Committee (Mahajans) had filed a petition in District and Session Court at Ponda for cancellation of suit filed by Shri Devi Navadurga Prathishtan Trust Madkai (comprising villagers).
The lawyer of Navadurga Sansthan Committee already made his arguments on their petition, while advocate of Shri Devi Navadurga Prathishtan Trust made his argument before Court on Friday. The next hearing is scheduled on November 23. As the verdict on issue is expected to come soon, all are awaiting the Court verdict.A large number of villagers were present at Court hearing.
It may be recalled that in 2016 Shri Devi Navadurga Prathishtan Trust Madkai had filed a suit in Court opposing the decision of Navadurga Santhan Committee to replace the existing old idol and also to decide whether the temple is public or private.
It may be recalled that in 2016 the decision was taken by Navadurga Sansthan Committee (Mahajans) to replace old idol of goddess Navadurga citing some cracks developed on idol, however the villagers had strongly objected to idol replacement.
There was often clashes on the issue, among both parties. Both Mahajans and villagers claimed their right over temple and idol. The villagers claimed that it is a public temple while Mahajans said it is their private temple. As the controversy dragged on, later villagers launched an agitation, later formed Shri Devi Navadurga Pratishtan Trust and filed a petition in District and Sessions Court Ponda asking for granting a stay to the idol replacement and decide whether temple is public or private, said Shailendra Panjikar President of Shri Devi Navadurga Pratishtan Trust.
Shailendra Panjikar further said the matter then went to High Court which directed the District and Sessions Court at Ponda to conduct hearing and decide on issue. He said District Court had granted stay on the decision of idol replacement until Court decides on matter and since then the matter has been subjudice.
Panjikar further said, last month, after seven years Marcaim Navadurga Santhan Committee had filed petition asking to cancel the suit claiming that the Shri Devi Navadurga Pratishtan Trust has not challenged Devastan Regulation Act( Mahajan Act) and by laws of Navadurga Temple. According to Shailendra, the villagers are worshipping the idol since several centuries. The idol is ancient and it is a public temple.