AERIAL VIEW
It is not yet known what is triggering such statements from the Chief Minister. He recently said that he would rebuild the temples destroyed by the Portuguese.
Of Course, it is a good initiative if he wants to rebuild the temples, but his statements seem like directed at someone. Nobody knows who exactly he is targetting – a particular community, Opposition political party or an individual.
Ever since he has been elected to office, he has been hell-bent on digging into history. First, he triggered a controversy by stating that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru delayed Goa’s liberation and then temples and now Shivaji.
On Monday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant made a critical statement that could further vitiate Goa’s atmosphere.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s rule was even in Coa. Many people tried their best to erase history. 450 years of Portuguese rule was limited to only a few Taluka’s,” CM said.
He said if we turn back the history pages, we will come to know that the Portuguese didn’t rule the whole of Gomantak.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has always worked to preserve Hindu culture in Goa. Today, there are so many documents related to Goa that are in Portugal; I’ve instructed the Minister that they should contact the Ministry of External Affairs to get all documents back to Goa. If required, he can even go to Portugal and retrieve those documents,” he said.
It is not yet known what is triggering such statements from the Chief Minister. He recently said that he would rebuild the temples destroyed by the Portuguese.
Of Course, it is a good initiative if he wants to rebuild the temples, but his statements seem like directed at someone. Nobody knows who exactly he is targetting – a particular community, Opposition political party or an individual.
Ever since he has been elected to office, he has been hell-bent on digging into history. First, he triggered a controversy by stating that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru delayed Goa’s liberation and then temples and now Shivaji.
Mr Sawant, Goa has not re-elected you to dig into the history. Your primary job is to ease the pressure on the public, which is caused due to mishandling of the economy, closure of mining, destruction of the environment, bad roads, irregular water and power supply, and unemployment.
Whatever has happened in the past cannot be undone, and simply wasting money by sending the Minister to Portugal will bore no fruits except for some accolades from your bosses in Delhi. Goa would not benefit in any way, sir.
Despite all your controversial statements, you have taken some good initiatives, and people are slowly beginning to trust you. Please leave up to the expectation of the people and do not waste your time on such irrelevant statements simply for political gains.
Goa wants better non-polluting industries, better air quality, better public transport, better network connectivity, better tourists, better water and power supply, better school and education infrastructure, better health infrastructure, and better services in government offices.
Suppose, even if we conclude that Shivaji ruled in Goa, what difference will it make for a common man or the government? Nothing. It will only create a divide between the Hindus and the Christians, living in peace for centuries. Do we want to make Goa like other states where people of different faiths fight against each other? Then why waste our time in doing so? Yes, if you want to unearth history, do it but do it in a manner that would not disturb any community’s sentiment. Don’t publicise it or target your statement at any community or person. After all, you are not the Chief Minister of only one religion, Hindu, but of the entire Goa, wherein every community lives in peace and brotherhood. Your statements and work have to be inclusive and not exclusive.