MAPUSA
Within days after getting elected unopposed to the managing committee of a temple trust in Mapusa, a member of the minority community resigned from the position allegedly after some section of the majority community took offence to his presence in the panel.
Salim Isani, a prominent businessman from Mapusa quit as a member of the managing committee of Ganeshpuri Vishwast Mandal Trust after a section of the majority community egged by the RSS raised objections against electing a minority leader to be part of the management to run the affairs of a Hindu temple.
As per the constitution of the Ganeshpuri Vishwast Mandal Trust, which runs the affairs of Ganeshpuri Temple in Mapusa, any man and woman from any religion can be a trustee of the Mandal.
Accordingly, Salim Isani joined as the trustee of the Ganeshpuri temple trust in 1993.
A fortnight ago, an 11-member managing committee of the Ganeshpuri Vishwast Mandal Trust was elected unopposed which included a woman and Salim Isani.
Soon after the announcement of the managing committee, a section of the majority community objected to the presence of Isani on the committee.
According to the group objecting to Isani’s election, no Hindus were allowed to be part of any Muslim organizations.
“So why a different yardstick is used while electing members to the managing committee of a temple?” they questioned.
Considering the sentiments of the people and before the issue could blow into a major controversy, Isani tendered his resignation from the managing committee.
“As per law, I am eligible to be a member of the managing committee of the temple trust. They could not remove me from the position. But I did not want to create a row over religious sentiments. I did not want to create problems for the committee members with whom I have very cordial relations. I resigned in good faith on the request of the president and other committee members,” Isani told The Goan.
He further said that he was invited to contest the election by the members of the majority community and was elected unopposed.
“I am helping people from all communities. I thought it would set a good example as Goa was known for its communal harmony among people of different religions. I thought it would pass a good message…,” he opined.
Incidentally, Salim Isani is a member of the BJP and holds State level position in the party.
