PONDA
The High Court has granted ex-parte stay on the Ponda district court’s order maintaining status quo on the replacement of the idol of Shree Navdurga at Marcaim.
Confirming the order, the temple committee head said they were not sure if they would replace the idol or not.
“We are in the dark and we don’t know whether we will replace the idol or not,” Shree Navdurga Saunsthan Marcaim president Vallabh Kamat told The Goan.
“Our programme was supposed to start from Monday, but it got cancelled after the local court’s order. Now, how we can go ahead with the programme?” Kamat questioned.
It may be recalled that on February 20, the district court judge had ordered to maintain status quo in regard to programme organised to replace the idol of goddess Navdurga at Marcaim temple.
The villagers, Shri Devi Navdurga Pratishtna (SDNP), had challenged plans by Shree Navdurga Saunsthan (SNS) to replace the idol.
When contacted, SDNP President Shailendra Panjikar told The Goan that villagers will not allow to change the idol under any circumstances.
“I am ready to die on this issue, but we will not allow them to replace the idol,” Panjikar said. Panjikar has accused the temple committee of trying to replace the age-old idol only for their vested interest.
However, the temple committee has justified its decision of attempting to replace the idol as it has developed a crack. The temple committee has also refuted claims that it is an age-old idol and claimed the idol was replaced twice in the past.
