For over five consecutive years i.e since 4th October 2004 and 2nd
February, 2005 onwards, successive Commodore-in-Charge’s (Karwar )
Headquarters, FO(K) Naval Base, near the over Rs. 35,000 crores Sea Bird
(INS Kadamba ) Project at Anjedic in gross violation of the agreed terms of
the order dated 8th December, 1987 and 26th July, 1989 have disallowed the
celebrations of the customary feasts of St Francis de Assisi on 4th October,
and “ Nossa Senhora de Brotas “ (Our Lady of Springs) on 2nd February, on the
37,005 ha Anjediva Island a part of Canacona Taluka, South Goa District , Goa
presently under the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, though still a part of
Goa, as it is not ceded under any act of Parliament.
The reasons invariably cited for denying celebrations of age old customary
festivities on all occasions, ranged from a) either naval exercises are going
on and warships are in place, or b) the base is operational, or c) due to
security reasons, law and order problem in Karwar the district administration
Karwar has not recommended celebration of the feast., (though the State of
Karnataka has no jurisdiction whatsoever on the Anjediv Island ) and d)
due to current security scenario in the country & recent terrorist threat to
naval base as per media reports (Jan 2009) visitors are not being allowed in
the base.
But that all this clearly smacks of a mere alibi to deny the faithful has now
been established beyond doubt .
On the occasion of Navy Week Celebrations this year from 4th December (
Victory day of Indo-Pak war of 1971 ) to 6th December, 2009 this writer
visited the base Headquarters at Arga , via Chendia, Karwar. On production of
a photo-identity card as proof of identity, insisted upon by the Security
Officials at the Main Gate, an entry pass bearing serial No:1439 dated 6th
December, 2009 was issued at 1203 hrs to this writer. Photography was
strictly prohibited. Cell phone numbers were recorded and those with camera
cell phones advised to refrain from taking photographs. Then alongwith others
we were ferried by private minibuses with a security official seated in each
of such minibuses ( understood to have been engaged on contract of Rs.2000/-
per day ). upto the ships ramp. Both INS Aditya and INS Jamuna were kept
open to the public. Entry to the vessel “Investigator” was prohibited.
Later we were treated to free cold
drinks and biscuits at INS Aditya ( drinking water was not available to any of
the visitors ).
Looking beyond the base the Church of Nossa Senhora de Brotas at Anjediv
Island appeared as a “ white dot ” on the western horizon. The 1.2 kms
causeway leading to the Church connecting the Anjediv Island from the Bhaitkol
(Port) enclave end, which since the last visit of this writer on 2nd February,
2004 has remained unasphalted .
When a Naval official was asked about the state of the Church by this writer he
informed discreetly that the Church is “OK condition” but kept out of bounds
from the public as well as the officers at the base for “security reasons” and
would not elaborate any further when probed a little more by this writer.
The entire break water in the periphery of the Sea Bird project from the
Bhaitkol Enclave covering area around Kamat Enclave at Binaga (Behind St Anne’s
Church/Cemetery ) and Arga via Chendia Head quarter spans to 3.5 kms according
to the Naval official.
For the records it may be noted that the Sea bird project was conceptualized in
1986 but commenced activity only in 1999 . The last phase is yet to get
underway. Its uniqueness is its first automated ship lift technology for under
water maintenance and is the largest docking base ie. almost 42 ships could be
docked which could avoid congestion at Vizag and Mumbai Naval bases.
Having enjoyed some delicacies of food and refreshments, at costs, organized
by the cadets at the campus but catered to on contract the visit ended.
There were entertainment programs scheduled for the evening until 2200 hrs.
according to the Naval official and he admitted that the crowds surge the
venue only in the evenings. Due to hot weather conditions day visit by the
public to the venue is minimal.
But for all the so called security hype created by the security officials
insisting that entry passes would have to be surrendered at the time of
exit appeared to be relaxed in the afternoon siesta.
This writer walked out the main gate in full security officials gaze without
being asked to surrender the same (and now still in possession of this writer )
but instead received a warm handshake as a farewell gesture from the security
officials.
One wonders why if the Naval authorities could permit the members of the public
to enter not only the base but also the warships without much ado; during the
Navy Week from morning to night could this same procedure not be adopted to
permit the faithful on the Anjediv Island for the customary feasts only from
morning to afternoon?
Incidentally on 2nd February, 2004 this practice of issuing entry passes was
undertaken by the parishioners of St Annes Church Binaga on behalf of the Sea
Bird officials. Though provision of safe drinking water and mobile toilets
were provided by Sea Bird officials
However it was only the unfortunate denial of entry imposed on natives from
Karwar, State of Karnataka mainly of the fishing community (who also
celebrate the feast as “Zorinche Saibin” ) on the one hand and allowing only
those from Goa for celebrating the customary feast by Commodore S S Karnik
that led to the near law and order situations.
The “enfante terrible” of this polarization on communal lines was actually done
by his predecessor Commodore B R Rao ( upto 31.10.2003) (now ensconced in
the Integrated Headquarters (Navy) Ministry of Defence (New Delhi) who had an
axe to grind with the Karwar Municipal Corporation over their “non
co-operative attitude” with the Sea Bird officials in discharging civic
duties
However the undercurrent of the simmering discontent as informed to this writer
by the locals was that the Sea Bird officials who have usurped almost the whole
of the Binaga beach for themselves and inconvenienced over 4000 families from
across 13 villages in Karwar by acquiring their land for a pittance or nothing
at all and providing employment only to migrants North Indians was the reason
for the locals frustration on the Sea Bird authorities till this day.
The role of Mr. Pramod Mutalik another self anointed firebrand leader based in
Hubli ( expelled from the Bajrang Dal and now running his own outfit which was
recently in the news for communal incidents at Mangalore ) took the
opportunity to consolidate his base in Karwar and threatened on 21st October
2004 to enter the Anjediv Island and perform “artis” at the venue where a
deity was existing but shifted to Ankola as is believed to be the pre
Portuguese situation (before 1500 ) or ban all festivities there. This
resulted in the Deputy Commissioner of North Kanara District to impose a ban on
any religious activity on the Island on 21.10.2004
However little did Mr. Mutalik or the then DC Mr. Ritesh Kumar Singh realize
that the Anjediv Island is a part of Goa and has not been ceded yet . Moreover
customary feast was being celebrated on the Island by all communities from Goa
and coastal Karwar city without a whimper and hence Mr. Mutalik could in no way
impose his writ or that of his latest outfit on the people much less the Navy..
This writer post lunch session then also visted the residence of Minister for
Fisheries Government of Karnataka and MLA Karwar Mr. Ananth Asnotikar on Main
Road Karwar to request him to remove the ban on the visit to the Island as the
DC (UK) has acted beyond his jurisdiction on a matter which comes within the
purview of the State of Goa.. Lately both the District Magistrates of South
and North Goa Districts have banned the entry of Mr. Pramod Mutalik in Goa
which also includes Anjediv.in Canacona taluka
However he was not available but a message was left behind.
The Union Minister for Defence on the directions of the UPA Chairperson Ms
Sonia Gandhi conveyed through the Member of Parliament Mr. B K Hari Prasad
also the All India Congress Committee General secretary Goa desk has on 5th
February, 2009 assured to examine the restoration of the customary festivities.
It is therefore clear that this highhandedness of the Naval officials at Sea
Bird does not augur well for their conduct in maintaining good public relations
with the civilians be it in Goa or Karwar.
At the venue at Arga there were several photographs showing the Sea Bird
officials coming to the rescue of flood victims at Gadag during the recent
unprecendented torrential downpour in 2nd 3rd , October 2009 but all this
cannot restore the ill will the civilians have towards the Sea Bird officials.
Ironically while the Sea Bird officials speak of security concerns the
neighbouring sister Islands of Kudumgad Madlingad and Devgad near Anjediva
celebrate the Feast of Lord Narasimha on Kudumgad in January with much fervour
and gaiety.
What is really astonishing is that despite the Government of Goa reiterating in
a letter dated 19/04/2006 to this writer that the conditions of handing over of
Anjediv for use of the Ministry of Defence viz allowing celebration of the
customary feasts on the Island with due security considerations both the Chief
Minister of Goa, Shri Digamber Kamat and Governor of Goa Dr S S Sidhu enjoyed
the Navy Day 4th December, 2009 celebrations on the lawns of Rear Admiral
Sudhir Pillai NM Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area official residence at
Vasco-da-Gama Goa but neither of them broached this issue of violation of the
agreed terms of transfer.
It is hoped that our Members of Parliament pursue this issue with the
Minister of Defence and ensure that the Feast on 2nd February 2010 is permitted
on the Anjediv in the same manner as they did on Navy Week celebrations.
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
gonsalvesgodfre...@yahoo.co.in
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