Union Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar’s reply to questions raised by Rajya Sabha MP Mr Shantaram Naik during Zero Hour on 1st March, 2016 has obviously not only come as a crude shock to Goans world wide and in Uttar Kanara Karnataka viz Karwar but has hurt religious sentiments as well; Indeed it has always been the STATED position of the MoD viz : a) that in 1989 vide order No.43/1/87/REV/7950, dated 26th July 1989 the Govt of Goa transferred the Island the MoD for the project Sea Bird --with the terms and condition that the Navy should allow on the island the celebration of customary feast of “St Francis de Assis” & “Nossa Senhore de Brotas” subject to security conditions b) that the Anjediv Island has been declared as a “prohibited place” by the State Government of Goa vide Notification No.2/86/82-HD(G), dated 27th December 1989 under Official Secrets Act, 1923, and c) that after completion of North Break Water linking Binaga Point with Anjadiv Island (in 2005 ?) & setting up of sensitive facilities -- in the vicinity thereof-, the permission to hold feasts was withdrawn due to security considerations d) that in consultations with the District Administration it was decided that the law and order situation does not permit any activity on the Island.
However, all are aware that Mr Parrikar as then Chief Minister of Goa, and as Leader of the Opposition Goa Legislative Assembly was on a different page . He had never accepted this STATED position of the MoD even though it was declared a “prohibited place” under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in 1989. ( It is also stated to be a Military A1 Classified zone which is highly sensitive area.) To prove this point the following facts are illustrated. Fact 1. In April 15th 2002 at the request of this writer he donated from the CM’s relief Fund INR 25,000/- for the urgent repairs of the Church of Nossa Senhora de Brotas; Fact 2. In July 19th 2003 then Defence Minister, George Fernandes in reply to letter from Mr Parrikar had stated that” a dozen temples had to be shifted from the Island to the mainland – hence we need to follow an uniform policy towards the people of all religious faiths” . This was a blatant lie, as no temples existed on the Island or were shifted to the mainland. . Fact 3. In October 20th 2004 when local fringe elements (from Hubli Karnataka) threatened “Shoba Yatra” on the island ; apprehending law and order situation the District Administration, Dy Commissioner, Uttar Kanara, Karnataka unequivocally issued an order “ prohibiting any religious activities “ on the island. The order is ultra vires as the Anjediv Island is a revenue village of Canacona Taluka South Goa District hence DC UK District Adminstration of Karnataka has no jurisdiction over the Island as it has to date not been ceded by an act of Parliament. Fact 4 In April 19th , 2006 Under Sec (Revenue) Govt of Goa vide letter No:16/6/1984 to this writer under a copy marked to Director General of Project Sea Bird New Delhi reiterated that MoD Navy allow the customary feast with due security consideration Fact 5 In May 2010 post 26/11 when MoD sought acquisition of two islands St George Islands - Grande and Pequeno (Bat ) Island and the stretch beyond the runway at Bimbvel Beach in Mormugao then MPs of Goa objected strongly to the acquisition of land and cited the misdemeanors of the MoD (Navy) in acquiring land under the guise of security threat perception. . Union Minister for Defence then leader of the Opposition in Goa Legislative Assembly had also cited the example of how MoD Navy had denied celebrations of the customary feasts at Anjediv and advised them to shift base to Karwar. Fact 6 While not a single installations is on the Island of Anjediv till date; the 1.5 km causeway is the only link between the Anjediv Island and the Sea Bird project (ref google map Anjediv pictures) ; yet on Navy Day 4th Dec, the MoD allows the public into the Arga base and the defence vessels with due security conditions but the same is denied to those celebrating the customary feasts on the Island; Fact 7 In the neighbouring Island of Devgad customary feast is being permitted without any security considerations >From the above it is clear that In hindsight the Union Minister for Defence >may have come under severe compulsions to adhere to the stated situation; >owing to the " faux pax" on the Def Expo issue thereby after nearly 15 >months in office succumbing to the adage “ “if you cant beat them (Defence >authorities) join them” However the people of Goa would still expect the Union Minister for Defence to listen to the voice of his conscience and take a holistic approach " de novo" to the issue of Anjediv : a) allow the age old celebration of customary feasts in the cradles of religious faith (1502) in India and treat the historical shrines now in near partial ruins with utmost care and respect besides maintaining them in pristine shape as agreed in 1987 & 1989; -- as willed by ex Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sushil Kumar in 2000; b) seek the immediate annulment / withdrawal of the DC Uttar Kanara's order prohibiting visit to the Island as it is ultra vires and beyond his jurisdiction; c) restore the old sea route via Galgibag in Canacona to the Anjediv Island as before. These would act as confidence building measures and would go a long way in bridging the growing distrust between the civilians and the MoD administrative officials over their hot pursuits in land grab in the guise of security considerations . GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) gonsalvesgodfre...@yahoo.co.in
