WHEN TEMPLATE OF FAITH BECOMES A CONFLICT ZONE

SANTOSH NAIK

Tension still prevails in Marcaim constituency for the past one year as the Mahajans or the Saraswat Mahajan managing the committee of the Navdurga temple attempted to replace the idol, which was opposed tooth and nail by the Bahujan Samaj. The matter has landed in court and a stay order was awarded to the idol replacement until a final verdict is announced. But the palpable tension is TELLING.

The Mahajan versus Bahujans fight at Marcaim over idol replacement of Navdurga is not only a fight between two communities but also a fight against "injustice" that was meted out by the Brahmins or Saraswats for past several hundred years to the Bahujans. It was the fight to retain the Bahujan culture in Goa which was exiting prior to the  Aryans Brahmin or Mahajans arrival.

The villagers or Bahujans who are non-Brahmins opposed to the idol replacement claiming that  Mahajans want to create document to establish ownership right over the idol and Temple destroying old History of Bahujans by way of installing a new idol. They challenged the decision of Mahajans in the Court and also successful in getting a stay for the idol replacement.

According to Ashwinkumar Naik,  who is leading the agiation, the Mahajans who are claiming right over of temple the Mahajans have not yet submitted documentary evidence proving their ownership.

He "explains" how Mahajans cheated originals settlers who were Bahujans. He said  Bahujans were illiterate while the Mahajans who were entered during Portuguese invasion in  Goa were educated and enjoyed top posts in the government service during the Portuguese era were not only successful in making the Mazania Act in their favour but also land reform Acts, etc during Mid 19th Century and destroyed the Ganokari system or village system into Communidade System by introducing Communidade code. Most of Communidades are also managed by upper caste who not only are its owners but also calls temples as private property due to Mazania Act. There are around 47 temples in Ponda while all over Goa it the total goes up to more than 108 and most temple mnagements changed hands after Mazania Act!

"The situation prior to Portuguese invasion, 450 years ago, must be gauged in this aspect. There was only the Sheduled Tribes and other castes who may be called as Bahjunas were settlers," he goes on to say.

Anthills, also known as roin or Sateri, were for long considered sacred by these indigenous communities of Goa. There are two Sateris in Marcaim, in different vados. One is near the Tallyambandh, on a GSB-owned property. Nearby is a Sateri temple and another to Vetal, another non-brahmanical deity. This Sateri and its temple used to be frequented by villagers earlier but have now been walled around, making public access difficult. The second Sateri is located with its own little temple at Tallyamkhol, another tallem at the foot of a hill in Parampaivado. This Sateri remains accessible to all, for the land here belongs to a Christian bhatkar. This is where Navdurga’s palki procession ends, to return over the hill back to the temple.

The Mahajans or the temple committee, which consists of the temple committee, say they have decided to replace old idol after the Priest of temple belonging to Ghaisas family observed some cracks on the idol.

However, the villagers say there is no need to do so as the crack in the 800-year old is very small and repairable.

The BJP, which is the beneficiary of both the communities, the Saraswats as well as the Bahujan Samaj, now finds itself in the tough  and adverse situation. Bahujans are all over Goa while Mahajans constitute only 2 per cent in Goa. BJP decision body have influence of Saraswats while other many leader are Bahujans and party workers who however are loyal to party.

Since December 2015, the issue of Mahajans v/s Bahujan Samaj is gaining momentum everywhere in the State and it could affect adversely during election.

Villagers state that there is absolutely no need to change the idol at Marcaim as it is almost 800 years old. Everything in the temple is done by the villagers or kulavis, purohits and other communities so then why should the mahajans take credit for everything.