Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: A clash that erupted recently during the Palki Utsav in Goa’s Rudreshwar Temple caused the Bhandari community to denounce their support for the state government and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, claimed AAP.
The members of the Bhandari community alleged that members of another community attacked them during the Palki procession in the temple premises. The incident happened despite police presence and the cops breached the temple’s sanctity by entering with lathis and shoes, said the community leaders.
They are holding the Chief Minister accountable as the incident happened in his constituency, Sanquelim.
Goa AAP President Amit Palekar, a member of the Bhandari community who was seen at the temple, attacked the Chief Minister over the incident.
“This act of the police is not just against the Bhandari community but also the Hindu culture at large. Even though the police were present when the scuffle broke out, they did not make any effort to stop the fight. This shows that Chief Minister Sawant is trying to divide the Hindu community in the state much like how the BJP has been doing across the country,” alleged Palekar.
He added, “I, representing the Bhandari community, would like to question the Chief Minister as to what the Bhandaris have done for him to go against them? With the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, the Bhandaris have clearly decided that they will not stand with the Chief Minister or the BJP as they have realised the atrocity meted out against them.”
Amit Palekar said the incident shows that the security of the community is under risk.
Several Bhandari leaders have also declared their disillusionment with the BJP — a move which could affect the saffron party as the community constitutes a significant portion of Goa’s Hindu population. They hold considerable sway in electoral outcomes and have the potential to swing the tide against any political party.
The incident in Sanquelim has stirred a wave of discontent that threatens to erode the BJP’s support base ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.
