PONDA: The Congress held a rally in Ponda to protest the government’s decision to reclassify the coconut tree as ‘grass’, on Sunday.
Congress leader and former chief minister Ravi Naik said that the BJP-MGP, during the last Assembly election, used the ‘Kalpavruksha’ while offering prayers to god, but now, it believes the same was grass. Calling it a betrayal of God, Naik stated that the party has decided to launch a campaign against the government across Goa.
Congress members, including Naik, gathered at the Zareshwar Temple in Ponda city and later performed gharanes (prayers), held a rally and shouted slogans against the government’s decision on the coconut tree, which they said was the identity of Goans.
Many Congress workers have called the government’s decision a “great joke” and stated that all religious communities use coconuts for prayers, among other things.
Addressing the press before the rally, Naik said that the reclassification of the coconut tree to grass would lead to felling of a large number of trees by builders and outsiders, resulting in the destruction of Goa’s environment. He also stated that the status of the coconut tree was changed to help builders convert land for unwanted projects.
“The coconut is not a grass, but Goa’s identity. It is the government’s responsibility to protect the most valued tree of the State. It can never become grass and its status should remain forever,” said Naik, while slamming the government.
He also claimed that the government lacks concern for the State and that it had come to power by fooling the people in the last elections by performing gharanis (prayers) by placing coconuts before gods and goddesses.
Naik also stated that the Government’s move was a shameful act and not in the interest of coconut farmers and an agriculture-based state. He added that when he was the Chief Minister, his government had made a lot of effort to grow palm and mango trees as it realised their importance to Goa’s economy and the people’s lives.
Naik also reminded the BJP government of its promise to protect the interest of Goans and claimed that the party was taking a U-turn on it.
Congress Ponda block president John Fernandes, former Ponda Municipal Council Chairperson Kishore Naik and over 100 other party workers participated in the protest rally and ‘gharanes’.
