VASCO
Tension prevailed in Mormugao on Wednesday afternoon after locals alleged that the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) had objected to the installation of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, claiming that the land on which the statue stands falls under port jurisdiction.
Residents said the objection has sparked resentment, especially when preparations for the unveiling ceremony on Shiv Jayanti are in full swing.
According to locals, port authorities have maintained that the land belongs to the port and that prior permission was not obtained before erecting the statue.
However, members of the local community dismissed the claim and stated that the plan to install the statue had been in the making for several years. They said the identified spot was earlier a dark, neglected patch filled with garbage and debris.
“The area had turned into a dumping ground. It was we, the residents, who cleaned and developed the space before installing the statue,” a local said.
The residents also cited the historic connection between Shivaji Maharaj and Goa. They pointed to the fort at Sada as evidence of the Maratha ruler’s presence and struggle in the region. Locals said that Shivaji and his son, Sambhaji, played a crucial role in resisting foreign rulers and protecting the Hindu faith, making the installation of the statue deeply significant for the community.
“This statue symbolises our pride, history and cultural roots. Raising objections at this stage only hurts public sentiment,” another resident said.
The locals urged the port authorities not to oppose the installation and instead, participate in the Shiv Jayanti celebrations.
Sources added that the invitations have already been extended to the public for the Shiv Jayanti celebration and the inauguration ceremony, and the programme could proceed as scheduled.
