It is learnt that residents of Panaji, especially the parishioners were reportedly inconvenienced on Sunday evening due to a film shooting that took place on the road in front of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. Parishioners accused bouncers of blocking their way when they headed to the church to attend the Sunday evening mass. There was also a loud blast that saw a car go up in flames which disturbed the residents in the vicinity. The question that arises is even though the shooting was on the road near the church was permission of the parish priest taken for the shooting. It is observed that every day large crowds of tourists occupy the steps leading to the church. The scene is akin to that on the beach and even migrant hawkers are seen selling trinkets. Some migrants also have an afternoon siesta on the church steps. The church authorities seem powerless to stop these activities. The steps leading to the church is not public property, but belongs to the church. It becomes a sore sight for the general public. The church is not a tourist attraction but a place of devotion. It would be in the fitness of things for the church authorities to barricade off the steps with the help of railings. A couple of gaps in the railing could be kept open as entrance and exit points for devotees. Desperate situations call for desperate measures.
