Team Herald
PANJIM: The Sao Matias Village Panchayat on Sunday witnessed heated discussion over the proposed installation of statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the panchayat land.
The ordinary gram sabha of Sao Matias witnessed a heated scene over the proposal of development and beautification with the installation of a statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in front of the panchayat building.
The local panchayat body had passed the resolution but decided to place it before the gram sabha for final decision. During the meeting, the resolution was passed with majority.
A group of villagers raised their objection to the proposal claiming that the same could lead to communal disharmony. They proposed that if Shivaji Maharaj statue is to be installed then statue of father of opinion poll Jack de Sequeira be also installed.
Those in favour of the resolution claimed that Shivaji is the leader of masses and there is no question of any communal disharmony. Speaking to Herald, villager Amit Divar said that people in Goa live with peace and harmony and there is no issue of any communal disturbances.
“Shivaji is a leader of masses. We don’t find any disharmony in this proposal. The resolution was passed with the majority,” he said.
Sarpanch Supriya Tari remained unavailable for the comments.
