Communal tension simmered in Goa once again, this time over the vandalisation of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Karasvaddo, Mapusa, on Monday morning. The incident drew spontaneous protests, with sections demanding that the police arrest the culprits even as a new statute was installed at the site by evening.
The incident comes hard on the heels of Fr Bolmax's sermon, which found a reference to Shivaji, triggering fierce outrage from a group styled as 'Shiv Premis' that demanded his arrest, despite the priest's quick rejoinder and an apology. Tension flared up even as the priest moved the court seeking anticipatory bail.
While certain sections have been raising fears over Goa going the Manipur way, the Karasvaddo incident momentarily appeared to be a trigger for a breach of peace and communal harmony. The much-talked-about communal peace in Goa looked so fragile that the slightest provocation could have ignited flames like those in strife-torn regions of the country. The Karasvaddo situation could have spiralled out of control, triggering social unrest.
Against this backdrop, there was a need for extreme restraint and caution to diffuse the 'communal bomb' that was hanging over our heads. Thankfully, better sense prevailed as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant sought to quell the flames of the incident by saying that "fringe elements" were purposely trying to create communal disharmony in Goa. He spoke of brotherhood and recalled how all religions co-exist and live in harmony in the State.
While tempers were running high on the ground, Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares and Mapusa MLA Joshua D'Souza were pressed in to even out the communal overtones. Alvares even spoke of requesting the Industrial Development Corporation to provide a plot of land so that a good statute could be installed and a function held in commemoration. If we may recall, in the Fr Bolmax case, the police did not oppose the bail plea of the priest.
The vandalisation of statutes is not new to Goa. The State has witnessed a series of desecrations of crosses and other religious structures in the past. In 2017, over 100 crosses and plaques were vandalised at a Curchorem cemetery, and crosses have been found damaged at various other locations, including Raia and Margao, over the years.
The State has risen to its reputation of communal harmony and has shown why Goa stands apart from those facing turmoil and communal violence. An entire community cannot be held hostage to the handiwork of a few who execute discreet and destructive agendas.
Goa has a very diverse and rich history, and the discourse on the contribution of Shivaji and others in achieving what has been achieved could span across volumes. The role of Shivaji cannot be forgotten, irrespective of which religion one belongs to. So also the Pinto Revolt against Portuguese rule and many other segments. The history of Goa stretches beyond the realm of any particular religion.
The chief minister must be commended for the deft handling of the Karasvaddo incident and for understanding its sensitivity. It has reinforced the belief that Goa continues to be a State with communal harmony and peace.
