OLD GOA
Upping the ante, the fast satyagraha will go big from Monday as a huge number of people are expected to extend their support to the agitation with people from different constituencies participating in the same.
On Monday, supporters from Mandrem and Ponda are going to join the satyagraha which completed twelve days on Sunday.
The organizers have currently decided to stay put at the current site and are also making arrangements to accommodate the huge number of supporters who are likely to attend.
“For the moment we are continuing the satyagraha at the present site and will think of shifting to another venue if the crowd is overwhelming,” one of the organizers Glen Cabral informed The Goan.
Meanwhile, activist Shankar Polgi, who was accompanied by his family and activist Sachin Bhagat, rubbished the claims being made that their fast satyagraha had ended.
“Our satyagraha has not ended and it will continue till the structure is razed to the ground,” Polgi stated.
He also sought to put to rest the claims that this is a religious issue. “This is not a religious issue as people from all religions are participating. This is an issue of the Goans who are fighting to save the heritage of Goa and people should not fall to the tactics of the politicians who are dividing on religious lines,” Polgi opined.
Apart from the Goans, tourists too continue to support the satyagraha. While many tourists, visiting the churches, stop by and inquire about the agitation, some of them pen their support in form of comments.
One such comment by Akshita Behl from Delhi says, “We are what our heritage is. Old Goa being UNESCO world heritage must be protected. Save our ancient glory, save Old Goa.”
Extending her support to the agitation, architect Royla Fernandes writes, “The satyagraha is the perfect and ideal path to achieve our goal of demolition of the unauthorized structure built in a protected site.”
Meanwhile, activist Ana Gracias remains the lone participant who has sat on the fast satyagraha since day one, and she is determined to stay put.
"I will continue till the desired result is achieved," she said.
