Also oppose distribution of religious books or articles of other faiths during the fair
VASCO
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organisations on Saturday evening demanded a complete ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food and the distribution of religious books or articles of other faiths during the Vasco Damodar Saptah fair.
Addressing a news conference, VHP leader Sanju Korgaonkar said a formal memorandum had already been submitted to the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) highlighting their concerns.
“We have received several complaints from devotees regarding the situation at the fair. The first issue is the sale of non-vegetarian food right outside the temple, especially during the holy Shravan month. The sight of fried non-veg items hanging in stalls next to the temple deeply hurts the religious sentiments of thousands of devotees who come for Saptah,” Korgaonkar said.
He further alleged that volunteers from other religious groups were distributing free religious books and literature to devotees waiting in line or visiting the temple. “We do not want to interfere in anyone’s religion, but our devotees are being harassed at the venue. These groups set up stalls and preach about their god, which is not acceptable during a Hindu religious festival,” he added.
Korgaonkar also raised concerns over the sub-letting of stalls by the MMC. “Shops are being sub-let multiple times without any antecedent checks. We demand that the MMC put up name plates clearly indicating the original stall owner and the permitted items for sale to ensure transparency,” he said.
He also called on the authorities to tackle the menace of beggars at the fair, saying devotees are often harassed.
Nitin Phaldessai of the International Bajrang Dal added that Hindu groups would set up their own stall and form a task force to monitor the fair and take action if their sentiments were hurt. “We are warning the authorities that we will not tolerate any promotion of other religions during our holy festival. If the authorities do not act, we will take action ourselves through our task force,” Phaldessai said.
