In a village adjacent to Margao town in Goa, tension gripped the community as conflicting sentiments arose following the installation of a life-size statue commemorating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This event unfolded on Sunday, coinciding with the 394th birth anniversary of the revered Maratha emperor, a day marked by celebratory events throughout the state.
According to an official account, the installation of the statue in Sao Jose De Areal village prompted a verbal altercation between two opposing groups, escalating the situation. As a precautionary measure, law enforcement officers were dispatched to the area to ensure the preservation of peace and order, as confirmed by Superintendent of Police (South) Sunita Sawant.
Social Welfare Minister of Goa, Subhash Phal Desai, who visited the village on the same day, asserted that the statue had been erected on private property with all requisite permissions secured from the local panchayat and duly reported to the deputy collector. Expressing dismay at the discord surrounding the installation, he emphasized that the stature of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should be beyond reproach, insinuating the involvement of certain political factions in stoking dissent.
In response to the unfolding events, local BJP leader Savio Rodrigues took to social media platform X on Monday, expressing his disappointment at the divisive rhetoric surrounding the statue's installation. As an Indian Christian, Rodrigues conveyed his profound respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's contributions to the nation's defense, lamenting the exploitation of his legacy for communal political agendas. He reiterated Shivaji's status as a symbol of nationalistic fervor, underscoring the imperative for all Indians to draw inspiration from his valor and unwavering devotion to Bharat Mata (Mother India).
