The Collector’s order issued Tuesday cited apprehensions expressed by North Goa SP Priyanka Kashyap that his entry could adversely affect peace and harmony, especially as the Panjim by-poll is scheduled on February 13.
“…It is not possible to accept the prayer of Muthalik to visit North Goa for any period of 10 days in February 2015,” Mohanan observed in her two-page order.
She explained that prohibitory order passed on January 16, 2015, was on the grounds that Muthalik or any of SRS associates/members’ entry could affect peace and harmony in the State as well as create fear in the minds of public and tourists.
“These grounds remain to be valid, more so in the light of process of by-election to Panjim Assembly constituency that is currently underway and will continue into the month of February 2015. Hence in the interest of maintaining public peace and tranquility in North Goa district, the prayer of the applicant is hereby rejected,” reads the order.
Muthalik’s lawyer Advocate Rajesh Takbhate had a week ago moved an application before the North and South Collectors requesting that his client be allowed to enter Goa for religious purposes.
“Our client intends to visit Goa in February. His visit would be for less than ten days. He shall inform the local police station about his residential address during the entire stay… Muthalik shall visit temples and ashrams in Goa for religious purposes, and shall not address any public meeting or participate in any public function,” the application had said.
The lawyer also submitted that Muthalik is ready to abide by any additional conditions that would be imposed by the administration. Muthalik had announced to set up an SRS branch in Goa in February, to which several people had raised serious objections, due to his orchestrations against western culture and celebration of Valentine’s Day.
The North Goa district magistrate had earlier issued prohibitory orders on August 20, 2014, which was extended by the government for 60 days, till December 18, 2014. A fresh prohibitory order was then passed on January 16, 2015.
Meanwhile, the Ram Sene chief will have to wait till January 30 to know whether he can enter South Goa district. District Collector Venancio Furtado has on Tuesday reserved orders on the application made by him to January 30.
The district Collector heard arguments advanced by the lawyer representing Muthalik on Tuesday noon. Muthalik had knocked the doors of the district Collector after he was banned from entering the South Goa district earlier this month. The Collector had issued an order banning the entry of the Ram Sene Chief to South Goa following a report filed by the district Police chief Shekhar Prabhudessai, stating among other things that the atmosphere will be vitiated in the district if Muthalik is allowed entry in the district.
