MARGAO
Asserting that land is sought to be developed by misusing the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday urged Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai to inquire into the land issues raised by local villagers, relating to sub-division of the property in question and tenancy issues.
Sardesai said he is giving Phal Dessai the benefit of doubt since the Minister must have gone for the inauguration of the statue upon an invitation without knowing the real facts behind the episode.
“Areal villagers are not opposed to Shivaji statue, but they have a proven track record of protecting their land. It is now apparent there is no access for the land in question. Minister Phal Dessai is a Shivaji bakht and has a Shivaji temple in his house. He must have gone for the inauguration without knowing the facts of the case,” he said.
Saying that any illegality committed in the name of Shivaji is an insult to the great Maratha warrior, Sardesai said he too believes in Shivaji and was instrumental in taking up the reconstruction of the Saptakoteshwar temple. We too are Shiv Premis and we have to understand that Shivaji had stood against the illegal activities,” he said.
Sardesai questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant how his government will protect the statues coming up across the State every other day. “The Chief Minister should answer who will be responsible for any communal tension if the unprotected statues are vandalised by vested interests,” he said, while demanding the government should come clear on the issue.
