VASCO
The proposed demolition of the iconic ‘Murgaoncha Raja’ Sarvajanik Ganesh pandal shed at Headland-Sada was dramatically postponed on Friday after devotees and local residents threatened to self-immolate if the authorities proceeded with the court-directed action.
A demolition squad, accompanied by heavy police security, reached the site to execute the High Court order, triggering an emotionally charged standoff as residents, devotees and members of the local community gathered in large numbers to oppose the immediate demolition.
The operation was supposed to be led by Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, who had been directed by the High Court to remain present at the site and identify the structure to be demolished. However, Naik was absent after reportedly being hospitalised following chest pain.
The absence of the chief officer became a major point of contention, with locals insisting that either Naik or Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) Chairman Dr N Vinod Kumar, representing the complainant authority, should personally come to the site and hear their concerns.
The devotees maintained that they were not seeking to defy the High Court order, but wanted the authorities to consider the religious and emotional significance of the pandal, where Sarvajanik Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have been held for nearly 18 years.
Mormugao Mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit made repeated attempts to pacify the gathering, explaining that the local administration had no authority to grant additional time as the demolition was being carried out pursuant to a High Court direction.
However, the crowd refused to budge, maintaining that they were prepared to abide by the court order after this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. With the festival only around 14 days away, they appealed for permission to conduct the celebrations this year and assured that they would not obstruct the authorities thereafter. The situation took a dangerous turn when some people threatened to pour petrol on themselves and self-immolate if the demolition was carried out. Locals warned that any loss of life would have serious consequences and held the Mamlatdar responsible for the situation if people resorted to such an extreme step. With tensions escalating and the Chief Officer absent from the site, authorities ultimately decided against proceeding with the demolition. Pandit announced that the action had been adjourned, citing the possibility of a major law-and-order situation.
Superintendent of Police Gurudas Kadam, along with several police inspectors and personnel from different police stations, remained deployed at the site to prevent any untoward incident. As the JCB, fire tenders and police personnel eventually began leaving the area, the devotees celebrated the temporary reprieve while awaiting further developments on the court-directed action.
