Tensions rise in Canacona as weekly bazaar faces boycott

The police force deployed at the market area in Canacona.

CANACONA

Amid calls from Hindhavi Swaraj Sangthan to boycott Muslim traders and non-Hindus from doing business in Canacona and to shut down the Saturday Weekly Bazaar, this week’s market saw only local traders participating.

Chaudi Councillor Ramakant Naik Gaunkar, along with others, partially reopened the bazaar in the afternoon and clarified that the bazaar, established in 1989, will continue as usual from next Saturday.

The market area, typically busy with traders from outside Goa, remained quiet until later in the day. However, local vendors, including hill farmers who usually sell their produce in roadside stalls, were seen selling goods to a few customers.

Heavy police presence was deployed, anticipating potential unrest. Three vehicles that arrived with goods did not unload until Councillor Gaunkar and other prominent citizens intervened. Sources revealed that Gaunkar and others managed to persuade some of the traders, who had arrived in trucks, to set up their stalls. A few traders complied, selling vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and garlic, which sold out quickly.

Over 90% of the vegetable traders at Chaudi’s bazaar usually come from places like Belagavi, Hubballi, and Dharwad. Due to the boycott call, only three trucks arrived overnight, compared to the usual number. Fearing trouble, many traders refused to unload their goods.

As the day progressed, only local women were seen selling their produce, and many shoppers, unaware of the situation, left without making any purchases. The lack of traders frustrated Councillor Gaunkar, who urged out-of-town traders to continue participating.

He said, “No one from the municipality ordered the bazaar’s closure. Shutting it down is not right, as many people depend on it for affordable produce. Without the bazaar, prices for essentials like tomatoes and onions would become unaffordable. We will continue the bazaar and work on addressing the concerns of those opposing it.”

Social worker and retired headmaster Shantaji Naik Gaunkar criticised Jeetendra Amshekar for using inappropriate language against Muslims, stating that as a headmaster, he should be more mindful of his words. Gaunkar added that the community opposes the Julus only if it is used as a display of strength by bringing in people from outside Goa. He stressed the importance of not blaming innocent traders.

Activist Sandesh Telekar echoed this sentiment, saying that closing the market without an alternative plan is not a solution. He suggested that if local youths started selling produce, people would naturally stop buying from outside traders.

Canacona Police Inspector Harish Raut Desai ensured a strong police presence to prevent any incidents.

According to municipal sources, no official closure order for the bazaar was issued, but the threat from Hindhavi Swaraj Sangthan likely kept many traders away. The CMC will address the issue in its next meeting, with plans to invite all traders back to the bazaar next week.

In the meantime, the Canacona Deputy Collector denied permission for the Muslim community’s Julus for the third time, citing law and order concerns raised by the police.