Locals force govt to stop Porvorim temple demolition for highway work

Panaji: In a day of high voltage drama, Porvorim remained tense all through Sunday over demolition of Dev Khapreshwar Temple and translocation of the adjoining banyan tree at Voddakodde, forcing chief minister Pramod Sawant to issue a one-line statement that govt would reconstruct the temple where the banyan tree would be translocated.
But even the CM’s statement failed to calm the locals as they continued to gather in large numbers opposing the demolition that was under way. With emotions running high, the mamlatdar issued an order late evening to stop the demolition to “maintain law and order”.
The work is expected to resume on Monday.
Despite the demolition being stopped, group of protesters continued to maintain vigil at the site, while police remained deployed to keep a watch on the protesters.
Heads of various political parties, activists and locals had gathered in large numbers at the spot from Sunday afternoon to demand that authorities halt the demolition work. Large police force was deployed to keep the situation under control. Men, women, children and elders, some in tears and others emotionally charged up, gathered at the site opposing the move.
After a major part of the preparatory work to translocate the banyan tree was completed by dusk. workers of the contractor for the six-lane Porvorim flyover took up demolition of the temple.
With tempers running high, CM Sawant issued a terse one-line statement: “Dev Shri Khapreshwar temple will be reconstructed by Goa govt at the new site of the transplanted banyan tree.”
However, the protesters at the site said Dev Khapreshwar is a deity specific to the location and that it would hurt sentiments of devotees if the shrine was shifted.
But despite the protest, major part of the demolition was completed.
A group of the protesters gathered in the night at the site of the temple and said they have prayed for destruction of those who have demolished the temple.
Earlier in the day, one protester was detained for abusing police personnel while discharging their duties.
Scores of activists, locals and others opposed the work, leading to confrontation with police during the demolition.
The banyan tree was trimmed heavily, leaving just two branches for the translocation that will be done subsequently.
Environmentalist Daniel D’Souza said, “Even after giving our suggestions, they were not taken into account. We had said don’t cut this tree drastically, because it will make it difficult for the tree to spring back. The cuts are so bad, they will get infected now. Someone who really loved trees would not do this type of cutting.”
Congress’s Vikas Prabhudesai said religious sentiments were hurt as proper rituals were not performed before removing Dev Khapreshwar’s idol from the temple. A layman from the contractor’s side was seen carrying out puja before the idol was removed, he said.
Activists alleged that they had been keeping overnight watch at the site till about 4.30am. But later they learnt that work began about 5.30am and they immediately rushed to the site.
The crowd of activists and protesters who stayed at the site till late evening criticised the operation, and said that the Bombay high court had specified March 5 to 10 as the period to carry out the translocation.
Several activists, including Xencor Polgi and Swapnesh Sherlekar, questioned how activists from Bajrang Dal and other organisations were allowing the demolition of the temple.
Goa Green Brigade’s Avertino Miranda said, “This is a sad moment for all activists who opposed the translocation. Five translocated ones in the Socorro paddy field earlier are struggling to survive.”
Devotees raised slogans against Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte for remaining absent.
“It may cost govt Rs 5 to 10 crore to realign the flyover slightly and save the tree and the temple? This govt is spending crores to host events. Under BJP govt, the Hindu religion is in danger. Where are the Bajrang Dal people now?,” said state Congress president Amit Patkar.
AAP Goa president Amit Palekar said, “Because of BJP, our god has become helpless. They are removing the god from his rightful place. Politics has come in between devotion. They will pay for this.”