The life-size statue of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, which was dismantled for beautification work.
MARGAO: The ‘missing’ statue of nationalist Dr Ram Manohar Lohia from the historic Lohia Maidan, Margao triggered a huge row on Friday with Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat and Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai slamming the BJP governments for their fake nationalism.
The row, however, was capped later in the evening after Margao Municipal Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes informed that Dr Lohia’s statue was taken for repairs by the consultant appointed by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA). In fact, the MMC Chief Officer said the Municipality would take custody of Dr Lohia’s statue no sooner the restoration work is completed.
“Since the Lohia Maidan beautification work is being carried out by GSUDA, the statue was taken for repairs by the consultant appointed by the agency. The statue has not gone missing, but has been taken away for repairs. I have checked with the GSUDA officials”, Agnelo said.
The Opposition Leader along with MMC officials had descended on the Lohia Maidan on Friday morning and demanded to know the whereabouts of the missing statue and the Martyr’s Memorial. He demanded that the statue and the Martyrs Memorial be stored at a safe place in a secured manner till the completion of the beautification of Lohia Maidan.
“The BJP Government which feels that all events happened in India only after 2014. It has tried to destroy the places of historical importance. I am shocked to note that the Statue of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and the Martyrs Memorial is missing from Lohia Maidan. This incident exposes fake nationalism of the BJP”, he said, demanding that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant immediately take note and ensure that the Statue and the Memorial is traced and secured.
He added: “It is the duty of the Archaeological Department to ensure that such historical monuments are preserved properly. The apathy of the Government towards giving respect to all those who contributed for the freedom struggle of India and liberation movement of Goa stands exposed once again”.
Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai said the incident has come at a time when the contribution of socialist leaders such as Jai Prakash Narayan has been deleted from the University syllabus in Bihar.
Sardesai said the Goa Forward-controlled Margao Municipal Council will not allow such a thing to happen at the Lohia Maidan at any cost.
Both Kamat and Sardesai demanded that the beautification work of the Lohia Maidan must be completed immediately and this historic place must be made available for the people to pay their respect on 19th December 2021 which will coincide with completion of 60 years of Liberation of Goa.
