The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and thegovernment of Goa have on several occasions taken cognizance of complaintsreceived from various individuals and organizations with regard to thedefacement of both private as well as public property. In Goa there is a class of businessmen and afew others who think that they are above the law. They go on fixing boards all over the placeand painting messages on private as well as public walls without any permissionfrom any authority.
Last year the CCP acting on complaints that had been made tothem by some vigilant citizens, removed several plastic boards that were fixedto trees with nails along the Dayanand Bandodkar Marg. Many among these were signboards containingreligious messages. Interestingly, acandidate contesting the CCP panel election had also fixed her banner to atree. Shamelessly, despite the boards being pulled down, a few more boardsappeared again in a matter of few days, and the same had to be removed.Incidentally drilling nails into the trunk of a tree can harm the tree in thelong run, as the trunk of any tree is what acts as a conduit to transport foodto the rest of the tree. Poking foreignobjects into the trunk could result in infection to the trunk and death to thetree in the long run.
Vandalism is the behavior attributed originally to theVandals, by the Romans, who would ruthless destroy or spoil anything beautifulor venerable. The term also includes criminal damage such as graffiti anddefacement directed towards any property without the permission of theowner. In some countries it isconsidered an environmental crime and the punishment meted out is very harsh.Graffiti on private and public walls at the time of election in India is a commonoccurrence.
Last month the CCP filed a complaint with the police aboutthe vandalisation of terracotta figurines of fisherwomen installed on trafficisland behind the old secretariat. Incidentally this is the third time that these figures have been vandalized.Vandalism of religious places in Goa both Christian and Hindu have been on theincrease in the last few years. While Christian cemeteries are beingvandalised, Hindu deities on the other hand are also being ravaged anddestroyed.
The writer is a social scientist and lawyer who has filedseveral landmark Public Interest Litigations in the High Court of Mumbai
