Goa : Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh demands CM to safeguard temples

Panaji (Goa) : Gomantak Mandir and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh (GMDSM) made a demand by meeting the Chief Minister, Shri. Manohar Parrikar, stating that, during the time of Congress ruling the state, there were various attacks on temples in Goa, like destruction of desecration of idols of deities, temple thefts, and conspiracy to demolish temples by stating them illegal with the pretext of SC guidelines etc. BJP-MGP government should put in efforts to stop such attacks on temples. While giving a reply to the delegates, Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar said that, the Government had collected information regarding the desecration of idols of deities, temple thefts etc. All these cases will be investigated. He also gave an assurance to the delegates that this things are not going to repeat.

            The delegation of the GMDSM comprised of Shri. Chadrakant (Bhai) Pandit, Shri. Rajkumar Desai, Shri. Jayesh Thali, Shri. Prasnna Dhage and Sua. Rajashri Gadekar of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). GMDSM submitted memorandum to the CM demnadin safeguarding of the temples. Memorandum says that, since year 2004, about 35 incidents desecration of idols of deities has occurred and hundreds of idols of deities have been desecrated. About 5 crores of rupees have been looted through temple theft incidences in last 5 years in the state. Still criminals are scot free. In order to give protection to temples police patrol should be increased as it was before and signatures of the police on duty on the Register should be made mandatory. A Task Force for the protection of temples and ghumti’s should be established at Taluka level just as there is Security Force established for protecting tourists. There is still uncertainty regarding demolishing of temples and ghumti’s by stating them as illegal under the pretext of Supreme Court’s judgement. While resolving the issues regarding the religious places not only legal aspect but also the aspect of religious sentiments should be taken into account. In order to settle sensitive issues like those of religious places, a coordinating committee comprising members of all religions should be established. The meetings of the public and police should be restarted to create understanding between the public and the police. ‘Reginal Plan 2021’ prepared by the former Government had no reference to various temples and religious places which enraged the devotees. Hence the Government should make arrangements to stop recurrence of such incidents.

Source : Our Correspondent