MAPUSA
Calling the recent attempt to install the bust of Shivaji Maharaj in Mapusa a “publicity stunt”, Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza said somebody was trying to trap him but failed in their mission.
D’Souza also said he was not against the Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj, but objected to the way the installation was done without following proper procedures.
“Somebody was trying to portray me as an anti… to see what I would do and accordingly make a big deal about it. I don’t think they were successful in their attempt,” D’Souza said.
A section of the people overnight erected a pedestal and installed the bust of Shivaji at Ekta Nagar, Mapusa on the day of Eid festival.
Interestingly, the area has significant population of Muslim community residing there.
D’Souza said any statue of a great personality having historic importance has to be installed in the right manner.
“We should not do it in a way that disrespects the personality who was a gallant fighter…We call him a hero, a warrior and we all look up to him. We have to maintain his respect and do things the right way,” he said.
He further informed that he was a big fan of Shivaji and was involved in the process of installing the warrior king’s statue on a horseback in the centre of Mapusa a couple of years back.
According to the Mapusa MLA, whoever wanted to erect the structure should have taken permission and ensured necessary setbacks and followed the due process.
“If they had approached me then I myself would have been instrumental to install the structure. The bust has been erected without permission and without following proper procedures,” he said.
He said his family was pro-nationalist and people from different sections supported and elected him as the representative of Mapusa.
“We come from a family that is pro-nationalist. My grandfather and father were nationalists. But that does not mean we can do whatever we want. We have to plan and execute things properly keeping everything in mind,” he said.
“We have to see that we take everything and everybody into account and move forward without disrupting the sentiments of the people,” he added.
