The recent controversy on the issue of installation of Shivaji maharaj statue at Calangute, started from provocative statements of the Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant; which encourage groups (aligned with the BJP) to ignore laws and permissions. But more so, it also a great case of “chickens coming back to roost” as far as the Calangute panchayat including Sarpanch and most panchas are concerned. It’s well known that Calangute (like many other panchayats on the coastal belt) is a hotbed of mega illegalities (and various undesirable activities) encouraged by panchayat (and of course the local MLA). So now with what face, can the sarpanch and panchas specify certain things are illegal when they have collected enough “commissions” from allowing other things that have broken the law? Needless to say, the villagers of Calangute are also responsible for not keeping a check on the undesirable activities/allowances by their panchayat.
