This copy of the letter has been faxed to the Chief of Naval Staff who is
currently in Goa and will be visiting the Anjediva Island. It may be noted
that Chief of Naval Staff is related to the family of late Dr Jack de Sequeira
the Father of the Opinion Poll 1967. It is hoped that during his visit to the
Island the matters will be resolved. This writer too will be visiting Karwar
to boost support for the cause of celebrating the Feast this year.
Unfortunately the political situation in Goa has come as
a damper yet the issue is being pursued in right earnest. Kindly send in your
appeals to the Governor of Goa on this issue.
***************************************************************************
18TH January, 2008
To,
Chief of Naval Staff,
Camp INS Kadamba,Naval Base
P.O. Arga via Chendiya Karwar 581 324
KARNATAKA ( INDIA)
Sir,
Greetings to you, Sir, for the New Year
You are kindly aware that the customary Feast of “Nossa Senhora de
Brotas” is being celebrated on 2nd February, at the Anjediv Island. . There is
another Feast of St Francis de Assisi that is celebrated on 4th October,
every year. However the chapel has now been partially ruined and the
authorities at INS Kadamba are yet to restore the same.
Sir, it is pertinent to note that since 2005, the authorities at the Sea Bird
Project did not permit the celebration of the customary feasts and the reasons
given orally were due to some Naval excercises etc. While these reasons were
acceptable with a pinch of salt the oft repeated denials of allowing the Goan
community from celebrating the Feasts has hurt the sentiments of Goans world
wide.
Several letters of our revered Archbishop of Goa and Daman , and the mention
of denial by our Member of Rajya Sabha Shri Shantaram L Naik in the Lok Sabha
in March 2006 has failed to move the NOIC for reasons best known to them.
It is also of interest to note that this writer had given a detailed report
with documentary evidence some letters of your predecessor to state that the
Island is still a part of the State of Goa and has not been ceded till date by
an Act of Parliament. Also that the celebration of two customary Feast will
have to continue with due security considerations.
Despite this clarification and also an interview to the local Kannada daily
Karavalli Munj on 5th February, 2007 it is unfortunate that the INS Kadamba
officials have entered into an understanding albeit in writing with the then
local Deputy Commissioner of Police Karwar District Mr R Singh (following
threats by an ex Bajrang Dal activist, one Mr Mutalik of prohibiting
celebration or entry to locals on the Island for the celebration of this feast
by an ex Bajrang Dal activist) and celebrations of the Feast have been stopped
since 2005 .
This is a feast celebrated by the Goan community and on an island still
belonging to Goa and authorities in the State of Karnataka have no jurisdiction
to interfere in these matters or foment a law and order situation owing to
misinterpretation of facts.
This is in complete contrast to the tacit understanding the Ministry of Defence
had with the Govt of Goa in December, 1987 when the use of the Island was
formally handed over to the Navy by the then Collector of Goa on behalf of the
Department of Revenue.
The Under Secretary, Government of Goa too in his written communiqué to this
writer in 2006 has confermed that Navy should permit the customary feasts.
Kindly therefore peruse to the details and ensure that during your stewardship
of the Navy the celebration of the customary Feast gets underway without any
hurdles.
Several such appeals were made earlier to the President of India Dr A P J Abdul
Kalam, then Defence Minister Mr George Fernandes and President of the Indian
National Congress Ms Sonia Gandhi. Unfortunately the ex Station Commander,
Commodore Mr B R Rao made a mis-statement of facts stating that a dozen
temples were shifted from the Island and therefore a similar policy needs to be
adopted in all fairness to this Church as well. However when this writer
confronted Commodore B R Rao on 4th October 2006 at Binaga Karwar to show
proof of the dozen temples that were shifted he expressed his inability to
meet me owing to Dussehra festival celebrations.
However this writer realized that a deity in Somnath temple (not located on the
Anjediv Island ) alone was removed and re -located at Kinelbag main gate. It
is not proper for the Church at Anjediva to be relocated more so given its
historical and religious significance viz a living monument. This misleading
statement of facts has therefore created the confusion for the past three years.
A copy of this petition is being sent to the Member of Rajya Sabha to raise the
issue again in Parliament. Similar copies are being marked to His Excellency
the Governor of Goa Mr S C Jamir, the Chief Secretary of Goa and Union
Minister for Defence Mr A K Antony.
With all good wishes from the people of Goa
Yours sincerely,
sd/-
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
social activist & freelance journa
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