Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: The proposed demolition of the iconic ‘Murgaocho Raja’ Sarvajanik Ganesh pandal shed at Headland-Sada was postponed on Friday following a tense standoff between authorities and devotees, with some locals threatening self-immolation if the demolition was carried out.
A demolition team, accompanied by heavy police security, reached the site to execute the High Court’s direction, but faced stiff opposition from devotees and local residents who gathered in large numbers and appealed for the structure to be allowed to remain until this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
The operation was to be overseen by Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, who had been directed by the High Court to remain present at the site and identify the structure for demolition. However, Naik was reportedly hospitalised after experiencing chest pain and was not present during the operation.
His absence became a major point of contention, with residents demanding that either the Chief Officer or Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) Chairman Dr N Vinod Kumar, representing the complainant authority, visit the site and hear their concerns.
Devotees maintained that they were not opposing the High Court order but wanted the authorities to consider the religious and emotional significance of the pandal, where Sarvajanik Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have reportedly been held for nearly 18 years.
Mormugao Mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit made repeated attempts to pacify the gathering, explaining that the local administration had no authority to grant additional time since the demolition was being undertaken pursuant to a High Court direction.
The devotees, however, insisted that they were willing to comply with the court order after this year’s celebrations. With Ganesh Chaturthi around two weeks away, they appealed for permission to conduct the festivities at the site this year and assured authorities that they would not obstruct the demolition thereafter.
The situation escalated when some individuals threatened to pour petrol on themselves and self-immolate if the demolition proceeded. Locals warned authorities that any loss of life would have serious consequences.
Amid the escalating tension and the absence of the MMC Chief Officer, the authorities eventually decided not to proceed with the demolition. Mamlatdar Pandit announced that the action had been adjourned, citing the possibility of a serious law-and-order situation.
Superintendent of Police Gurudas Kadam, along with police inspectors and personnel from various police stations, remained deployed at the site to prevent any untoward incident.
As the JCB, fire tenders and police personnel eventually began leaving the area, the tense atmosphere eased, with devotees raising chants of “Ganapati Bappa Morya” and celebrating the temporary reprieve.
