MARGAO
The Kabrastan tangle has triggered another row of sorts. Even as the minutes of the meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and others on September 8 last stated that the Kabrastan will be only for the residents of Fatorda and Margao constituencies, petitioner before the National Minorities Commission (NMC) Abdumatin Carol has threatened to move the minority panel to demand that the proposed Kabrastan is opened for Muslims of Salcete taluka.
Chief Minister Parrikar and TCP Minister, Vijai Sardesai, however, downplayed the contents in the minutes of the meeting, and sought to allay apprehensions raised by the petitioner, insisting that nothing has been finalized by the government on the modalities to operate and maintain the proposed Kabrastan.
Petitioner Abdulmatin Carol took objection to the point noted in the minutes which categorically stated that the Kabrastan will be only for the residents of existing Fatorda and Margao constituencies.
"How the can the TCP Minister take such a stand at the meeting called by the Chief Minister when it was made very clear that the land acquired by Margao Municipal Council for the proposed kabrastan for the Muslim community of Salcete taluka," Carol told The Goan on Saturday.
He further said that if the TCP feels that the Sonsodo land is only meant for the residents of Margao and Fatorda, then Sardesai should ensure that the ODPs and the Regional Plan make provision for the burial grounds for the Muslim community in every village where there's concentration of the Muslim community.
Matin said that he would knocked the doors of the National Minorities commission to ensure that the doors of Sosnodo kabrastan are opened for Muslims from Salcete taluka. Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, however, sought to allay the apprehensions raised by Abdulmatin and
others in respect of the jurisdiction of the proposed Kabrastan at Sonsodo. He told The Goan on Saturday that no final decision has been taken by the government on the Kabrastan issue.
"The govt only had a round of meeting with the stake holders. More such meetings will take place before the government takes a final call. Suggestions made or views expressed at the meeting convened by me have not been finalised," Parrikar sought to allay the apprehensions.
TCP Minister, Vijai Sardesai also echoed similar sentiments. "The consultation process in respect of the proposed Kabrastan at Sonsodo is underway. The government has taken one decision that the burial ground should be manned by the Municipality and not by any religious body. Other that this decision, nothing has been finalized till date," Sardesai added.
