Life-size Shivaji statue installed inside children’s park
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Tension prevailed in the communally-sensitive Rumdamol housing board on the outskirts of the commercial capital on Tuesday after unknown persons installed a life-size Shivaji statue inside the panchayat-owned children’s park located meters behind the Maruti Temple.
Tension was conspicuous in and around the open space, as members of two communities assembled near the spot — one supporting the statue’s installation, the other opposing its continuance in the public place.
The tension had its echo in Margao later in the day after a group of angry persons carrying saffron flags and shouting slogans marched to the city from Rumdamol after the police lifted away the statue from the spot and transported it to the Margao district head quarters.
The incident came to light early Tuesday morning when the statue was spotted by the residents, who immediately intimated the village Sarpanch Sofia Riyaz Sheikh. Completely taken by surprise, the Sarpanch and other panchayat members informed the police and called on local legislator Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado for a solution to the problem.
South Goa District Collector, N D Agarwal, Additional Collector Deepali Naik, district police chief Shekar Prabhudessai, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Naik along with jeep-loads of policemen descended at the venue. During discussions with the district collector, a group of persons led by Padmanaba Pai attached to the Shree Samarth Temple, Rumdamol, maintained that they will lift away Shivaji’s statue in the evening after a Pooja ceremony. The district collector, however, remained firm. He point-blank told Pai and others to remove the statue without any delay after performing the pooja. “The administration respects Shivaji and their sentiments. We will also join in the pooja ceremony. But, the statue has to go immediately. You have installed the statue without permission. It is disrespect shown to Shivaji by installing the statue without permission”, Agarwal said.
The collector further told the group that anti-social elements could take advantage of the situation if the statue remain at the spot till evening. “If anti-social elements vandalise the statue, it will lead to violence. Either you take it away or the authorities will do the same”, Agarwal told Pai.
At around 12.20 pm, Agrawal ordered the police to lift away the statue after he received inputs that attempts were on to mobilize people from other parts of the state to Rumdamol in support of locals who installed the statue.
There was no resistance to the police action, but police dispersed both groups from the venue before transporting the statue to the police station.
Maina Curtorim Police Inspector Gurudas Kadam said police have booked a case for trespass under section 3 of the PDP Act against unknown persons upon a complaint from Rumdamol Sarpanch Sofia Sheikh.
This evening, South Goa Shiv Sena chief Raju Virdikar along with Shiv Sena leader Felix Dias approached the police and collector for release of the statue. They were later
told to move the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) for its release since an offense was already registered against unknown persons.
Though the Shivaji followers had initially called for a Margao bandh, the proposed bandh was later called off, informed Pai.
