Christian community in Goa objects statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Tension prevailed in South Goa’s Sao Jose De Areal village on Sunday after some christian people objected to the installation of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha warrior.

The arguments broke out a day ahead of the 394th birth anniversary of the Maratha emperor. On his birth anniversary, events are held across the state to celebrate it.

The statue was installed in Sao Jose De Areal village on Sunday, which led to a verbal altercation between two groups, the official said. “The situation is under control and police personnel have been deployed in the village,” Superintendent of Police (South) Sunita Sawant said.

As per the reports, when Editor-in-Chief – GoaChronicle Savio Rodrigues talk to local about the issue, one of them said that, “We cannot allow this Shivaji’s songs and chants in our Christian village, we have crosses put up in our village”.

It should be noted that Social Welfare minister Subhash Phal Desai was attacked with stones and mud on Monday by the locals while he was returning after installing statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Sao Joao De Areal village in South Goa. This led to law & order situation in the area forcing police to lathicharge. While Minister suffered minor injuries due to stone attack, several locals were injured as a result of lathicharge.

He said that a mob which was opposing installation of the statue pelted stones. The minister said that few stones hit him, including one on his head, due to which he received minor injury.

Local BJP leader said, “As an Indian Christian I have the highest respect for the contribution of Chhatrapati Shivaji towards protecting our motherland. I am disappointed that some in Goa equate his sacrifices for our motherland as a point of contention to play their communal politics”.

Shivaji was a hardcore nationalist and every Bharatiya must be inspired by him because of his immense valour and devotion to Bharat Mata, Rodrigues further said.