BJP State president Damu Naik along with Goa Haj Committee Chairman Urfan Mulla and members of the Muslim community inspecting the Pajifond kabrastan.
MARGAO
The contentious issue of the kabrastan (burial ground) for the Muslim community of Margao and Fatorda is back in the spotlight ahead of the 2027 Goa Legislative Assembly elections.
With the issue remaining unresolved, politicians across the political spectrum have been promising a solution to the decades-old burial ground problem, particularly on the eve of elections.
On Saturday, BJP State President Damu Naik visited the kabrastan located on the steep and rocky Pajifond hillock. Accompanied by Goa Haj Committee Chairman Urfan Mulla and members of the Muslim community, Naik inspected the burial ground and saw first-hand how it has almost reached saturation point and is in need of urgent attention, particularly in terms of upkeep, maintenance and basic amenities.
Naik assured the community that he would use his good offices with the government to address its immediate concerns. However, he also faced questions from the media over why the kabrastan issue resurfaces only in the run-up to elections.
“I have just come to inspect the Pajifond kabrastan since members of the community, led by Goa Haj Committee Chairman Urfan Mulla, requested me to do something. This matter does not come under me since I am not an elected representative. The concerned MLA of the constituency where the Pajifond kabrastan falls should have fulfilled the requirements of the Muslim community,” he said.
He added, “But I have promised the delegation that whatever is possible from my side will be done to provide basic amenities at the kabrastan. Every human being should be given a decent burial as per the prescribed rituals.”
Stating that the BJP government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is working for the development of Goa irrespective of caste or creed, Naik said he would take up the kabrastan issue with the Chief Minister and PWD Minister Digambar Kamat to resolve the problems faced at the burial ground.
“Today, the delegation showed me how animals enter the burial ground and create problems at the graves. They also want general cleanliness at the burial ground, which will be taken up on priority,” he said.
Asked why the kabrastan issue comes to the fore only during election time, Naik said, “I am neither the MLA representing Fatorda nor am I in the government.”
When the media pointed out that the BJP government is ruling the State, he shot back, “I cannot take responsibility for an issue that falls within the MLA’s domain. Pose this question to the MLA who has failed as an MLA. I have always been saying that the local MLA has failed, and I am again repeating that the MLA has failed to address the kabrastan issue during his tenure. I have come to inspect the kabrastan since I never say no to people, as I am involved in social service.”
He added, “I came running to the Pajifond kabrastan after being requested by members of the Muslim community. I do not know why the local MLA has failed to take up the kabrastan issue when the government has accepted his works in Fatorda. It is easy to point accusing fingers at others.”
15 years after acquisition, Sonsodo kabrastan remains undeveloped
MARGAO: As the 30,000 sq metres of land acquired for the kabrastan at Sonsodo in 2011 on the eve of the 2012 elections is yet to be developed for a burial ground, BJP State President Damu Naik has said he has no idea of the kabrastan project, saying the matter falls in the domain of the local MLA.
“I am not the MLA of Fatorda to answer the question why the kabrastan project failed to see light of the day,” he said.
Chairman of Haj Committee Urfan Mulla told the media that former Chief Minister and incumbent PWD Minister Digambar Kamat had acquired land admeasuring 30,000 sq metres for the kabrastan at Sonsodo. He, however, hastened to add that the Fatorda MLA during his tenure as Minister notified the acquired land for housing and shifted the burial grounds to Sirvodem-Navelim on the banks of River Sal. “Since the area in question was a low lying area, the neighbouring residents of Navelim raised apprehensions over the project before it was finally scrapped. This resulted in a long delay in resolving the issue in the last eight years,” Mulla said.
The Haj Committee Chairman further told the media that PWD Minister Digambar Kamat has now promised to develop the kabrastan land at Sonsodo on a war footing and give relief to the Muslim community.
