The issue of Anjediv Island celebration of the Feast has now been referred to the Chairperson Ms Sonia Gandhi MP Mrs Margaret Alva looking after Goa desk, Dr John Dayal All India Catholic Union, the Union Minister for Defence.
In the meanwhile the Naval authorities are believed to have taken all security measures and also alerted the District Police to avert any untoward incident at the Karwar end. When the office of the District Police contacted this writer 1940 hrs today he was told clearly that as per the order dated 8/12/1987 26/07/1989 of the Government of Goa while transferring the island and the letter dated 24/4/2000 from then Chief of Naval staff NAVY SHOULD PERMIT THE CUSTOMARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE two feasts on 2nd Feb and 4th october that of Nossa Senhora were to be permitted, with due security considerations. Therefore the reference to prohibition of the Feast and "any other religous activity" is apparently taking consideration of the demand of the moffusil collective from Karwar demanding their right to hold similar festival there of their deity (which never existed since the Portuguese came to the Island in 1498) Hence the Navy officials were asked to clarify on this aspect and permit the feast. No communication has been received so far on the points raised by this writer in reply to their fax message of 28th January, 2006 to the undersigned and therefore the visit to the Island for the Feast stands until the time of this posting. Upon their requests they were faxed the same clarifications thrice since 23 hrs to 24 hrs on 31.1.2006 and today also at 1830 hours since they claimed that the fax was not legible. Incidentally the Rear Admiral Western Command was posted of the developments vide fax for a clarifications and his office too did not reply till now 2300 hrs IST The Chief Minister of Goa has the entire file examined by the Secretray Revenue and will take up the matter with the Sea Bird tough it may be late, even the Governors office has been posted of the developments but he is away and will return only on 3rd February, 2006. Meanwhile the Archbishop of Goa and Daman has yet to decide on the contents of the reply not to permit the feast as recieved by the Archbishop last evening on his return from Canacona as conveyed to this writer by Fr Loyola Pereira telephonically. They too have taken not of the addition of "any other religious activity" and have assured to puruse this issue at the highest forum. Meanwhile Dr Dayal mooted the idea of filing a public interest litigation against the Defence Authorities in the Supreme Court though he agreed to take up the matter with both Mr Oscar Fernandes and Madam Sonia Gandhi Ms Alva could not be contacted despite frantic calls to her office in New Delhi by this writer . For Goans this is a historical site and hence all efforts must be made to reiterate our rights on the customary feast. The Catholics have been taken as gullible citizens and the highandedness of the Navy needs to be checked. The Navy should realise that unless they have the co-operation of the citizens they will never achieve their agenda. GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9822158584 __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner now. Go to http://yahoo.shaadi.com