HJS delegation meets Union Minister Mahesh Sharma regarding ‘Hatkatro Khamb’

Minister assures to take immediate cognizance of the neglect of the ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ (Inquisition Pillar) and of reviving it

Panaji : Central Minister of Cultural and tourism Shri. Mahesh Sharma gave assurance to the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) delegation which was lead by Shivsena’s senior MP Shri. Gajanan Kirtikar to take immediate cognizance of the neglect of the ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ (Inquisition Pillar) and of reviving it. ‘Hatkatro Khamb’(Inquisition Pillar) is the symbol of sacrifice of Hindus at the time of the inquisition tortures during the regime of Portuguese. Central Minister of Cultural and tourism Shri. Mahesh Sharma also heads the Archaeological Survey of India.

HJS delegation under the leadership of Shivsena’s senior MP Shri. Gajanan Kirtikar met Cultural and Archaeoligical Central Minister Shri. Mahesh Sharma in his office in Delhi recently and briefed him about the neglected Inquisition Pillar. HJS delegation was comprised of Shri. Sriram Kane of HJS and Shri. Abhay Vartak, spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha. HJS delegation handed over a memorandum with the above demand with evidences to the Central Minister Shri. Sharma. The inquisition pillar of the 12th Century is the witness of the torture of Hindus in Goa by the tyrannical Portuguese rulers. This pillar is the only evidence of inquisition thrust upon Hindus during the Portuguese regime. Deliberate and systematic attempt is being made to wipe out the records in the Government documents of this ‘Hatkatro Khamb’(Inquisition Pillar).

Presently this pillar is located at the Panaji–Ponda National highway in the centre at a very dangerous junction where 5 roads meet. This is accident prone area. A vehicle dashed against this pillar some days ago and has damaged half of its part. HJS along with devout Hindu Organisations staged agitation recently on Goa Krantidin at ‘Hatkatro Khamb’(Inquisition Pillar) to demand to revive the pillar immediately. Despite a month has passed but the Government has ignored the demand. HJS has earlier made a demand to declare ‘Hatkatro Khamb’(Inquisition Pillar) to be an ancient monument and to conserve it as historical place.