Threat to Feast of Our Lady of Springs - Anjediv 2/2/2005
Union Minister for Defence
Ministry of Defence
Govt of India
NEW DELHI
Union Minister for Home Affairs
Ministry of Home
Govt of India
NEW DELHI
Rear Admiral Shekar Sinha
Flag Officer Commanding Goa
Vasco da Gama, Goa
Station Commander
Sea Bird Project
Binaga Karwar
Ministry of Defence
Govt of India
NEW DELHI
Union Minister for Home Affairs
Ministry of Home
Govt of India
NEW DELHI
Rear Admiral Shekar Sinha
Flag Officer Commanding Goa
Vasco da Gama, Goa
Station Commander
Sea Bird Project
Binaga Karwar
Sir,
After Mr S K Sinha took over as Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area on 16.4.2004 he had kindly announced in July 2004 that the Navy has permitted (albeit with security considerations) the visit to the
Island and celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Springs (Nossa Senhora de Brotas) on 2nd February at Anjediv Island (near Karwar) off the coast of Canacona, Goa as per the agreed terms of transfer of island by the Govt of Goa. This news was welcome by all and
sundry.
This year too the customary Feast will be celebrated on Wednesday, 2nd February, 2004
![The Church of Nossa Senhora das Brotas: Pilgrims to be denied access by the Indian Navy!]()
After Mr S K Sinha took over as Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area on 16.4.2004 he had kindly announced in July 2004 that the Navy has permitted (albeit with security considerations) the visit to the
Island and celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Springs (Nossa Senhora de Brotas) on 2nd February at Anjediv Island (near Karwar) off the coast of Canacona, Goa as per the agreed terms of transfer of island by the Govt of Goa. This news was welcome by all and
sundry.
This year too the customary Feast will be celebrated on Wednesday, 2nd February, 2004
As per a communique from the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman, dated 15 January 2005 to Station Commander Sea Bird, this year it is decided that two masses will be held one at 1000 hrs and the other at 1300 hrs to regulate the crowd participating in the Feast.
However it is noted as per reports on the local (Karwar) Kannada daily dated 23 January 2005 and confirmed by this writer that one Mr Pramod Mutalik, General Secretary - Vishwa Hindu Parishad South India has once again threatened to prevent conduct of the Feast on this Island.
On an earlier ocassion too on 21 October 2004 on the eve of Dusserha, he had threatened to enter the island and conduct religious rites at an ancient temple believed to be on the Island but this move was averted due to the timely intervention of the District Magistrate Karwar and the Navy.
It may be noted that until 1987 the Island was in the revenue taluka of Canacona Goa and the only Feasts celebrated by the people of Goa and attended by the people of Binaga and Karwar were the above Feast and the Feast of St Francis de Assisi on 4th October.
Therefore the attempts of the VHP to disrupt the festivities is uncalled for and needs to be put on check.
It may be recalled that the BJP led Goa Government had donated Rs 25,000/- to the repairs of this Church and also ensured the smooth conduct of the Feasts in the past years.
Therefore the devotees feel that the State machinery both in Karnataka & Goa and the Defence Ministry and Home Ministry Govt of Goa should take all necessary steps to ensure the smooth conduct of the customary Feast and ensure the safety of all those visiting from
Goa.
The sacred Constitution of India provides for a secular democratic society and therefore any attempts to create a law and order situation should be nipped in the bud.
The people of Goa who have maintained a tolerance towards all communities will not be cowed down by such threats. This year they have promised to attend in large numbers as they are delighted that the Sea Bird authorities at its own cost have now (18th May 2004
repaired the Church and restored it to its pristine glory to the satisfaction of all).
However it is noted as per reports on the local (Karwar) Kannada daily dated 23 January 2005 and confirmed by this writer that one Mr Pramod Mutalik, General Secretary - Vishwa Hindu Parishad South India has once again threatened to prevent conduct of the Feast on this Island.
On an earlier ocassion too on 21 October 2004 on the eve of Dusserha, he had threatened to enter the island and conduct religious rites at an ancient temple believed to be on the Island but this move was averted due to the timely intervention of the District Magistrate Karwar and the Navy.
It may be noted that until 1987 the Island was in the revenue taluka of Canacona Goa and the only Feasts celebrated by the people of Goa and attended by the people of Binaga and Karwar were the above Feast and the Feast of St Francis de Assisi on 4th October.
Therefore the attempts of the VHP to disrupt the festivities is uncalled for and needs to be put on check.
It may be recalled that the BJP led Goa Government had donated Rs 25,000/- to the repairs of this Church and also ensured the smooth conduct of the Feasts in the past years.
Therefore the devotees feel that the State machinery both in Karnataka & Goa and the Defence Ministry and Home Ministry Govt of Goa should take all necessary steps to ensure the smooth conduct of the customary Feast and ensure the safety of all those visiting from
Goa.
The sacred Constitution of India provides for a secular democratic society and therefore any attempts to create a law and order situation should be nipped in the bud.
The people of Goa who have maintained a tolerance towards all communities will not be cowed down by such threats. This year they have promised to attend in large numbers as they are delighted that the Sea Bird authorities at its own cost have now (18th May 2004
repaired the Church and restored it to its pristine glory to the satisfaction of all).
Link article:
The Travesty at Anjediva!
This historic place for Goan Roman Catholic pilgrimage
is about to be desecrated by the Indian Navy
( picture and link courtesy: www.colaco.net )
Gulf Goans e-Newsletter yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ Moderator Gaspar Almeida /Presented by Uly Menezes www.goa-world.com/goa/ since 1994. Thanks for the continued support of the www.goa-world.com/goa/ team.
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