THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The Pomburpa-Olaulim Sarpanch Vinay Chopdekar has a larger heart than the Sanatan Sanastha. While Chopdekar is willing to open his arms to relocate Kashmiri Hindus as well as members of the Makadmare (Vanarmare) tribe who are facing dislocation, the Sanastha is reluctant to display the same magnanimity.
Chopdekar said the Kashmiri Hindus were more than welcome in Pomburpa village, adding that similar compassion could also be extended to the Makadmare tribes who have been displaced from Nirankhal-Ponda.
“The Kashmiri Hindus were more than welcome in Pomburpa village. The panchayat will definitely offer to rehabilitate the Khasmiri Hindus if there is a request from the Union government to do so,” Chopdekar told The Goan.
“Kashmiri Hindus are one of us who have been harassed in their own land. They are all Indians. We need to look after them,” he added.
It may be recalled that the Pomburpa-Olaulim Gram Sabha on Sunday had passed a resolution urging the Union government to address the concerns of hapless Kashmiri Hindus and take steps to rehabilitate them.
The resolution was adopted after the panchayat received a representation from Sanatan Sanstha.
Many Kashmiri Hindus have had to run away from their homeland leaving their homes due to atrocities heaped upon them at the hand of the oppressors in the State.
When asked if the panchayat would show similar compassion to the Makadmare tribes who have also been displaced from Nirankal-Ponda, Chopdekar replied in the positive.
“I would have to put forth the matter before the Gram Sabha for discussion. If the Gram Sabha agrees (to their rehabilitation), we will definitely relocate the Makadmare tribals in our village.”
“In fact, I am willing to go an extra mile to persuade the villagers to consider the rehabilitation of the Makadmare tribals,” the sarpanch added.
Unfortunately, the Sanatan Sanastha which is championing the cause of Kashmiri Hindus is reluctant to extend the same protection to members of the Vararmare tribe.
Virendra Marathe, Managing Trustee of Sanatan Sanstha at Ramnathi, claimed that Kashmiri Hindus have been suffering from incessant tyrannical attacks. “They should be given their right of rehabilitation,” said Marathe.
But when asked if a similar demand had been put forth on the rehabilitation of Makadmare (Vanarmare) tribe at Nirankal-Ponda, Marathe replied: “admitted that they had not taken a call on ‘Makadmare’ issue.
When reminded that the Makadmare tribals were also Hindus and were also facing atrocities at Nirankal-Ponda, Marathe then sought to shift the responsibility on the government.
“The government should rehabilitate the Makadmare tribals from Nirankal and should provide them shelter. The government has so many schemes for other backward classes and under such schemes, the Makadmare tribals can be given some benefits. Since the government helps the backward classes, it should take also some measures to rehabilitate them,” Marathe said.
Asked if the Sanatan Sanstha would take an initiative to place a demand before the government seeking the rehabilitation of the Makadmare tribals, Marathe replied: “We have not discussed this issue yet. But yes, we can decide on it.”
