Christians trying to disrupt communal harmony at Betul (Goa)

After forcing Hindus to celebrate ancient ‘Divajotsava’ at some other place, now some Christians are trying to disrupt communal harmony by their deeds. These people have illegally planted coconut trees on the common land at Mand, Betul. This can disrupt communal harmony and any untoward incident should not happen; police and administration should look into this issue at the earliest, was the demand made by Shri Dev Betal Devasthan Trust (Bapsora, Velim) with Cuncolim Police station and Deputy District Collector (Margao). A complaint has also been lodged against Chapel Committee of Bapsora.

The complaint states that land at Mand in Betul is used for religious activities by Hindu devotees of Betal deity. Its going on from last 100 years. Even fisher-folks use the way going through this land to reach Sal river for catching fish. Chapel Committee at Bapsora is using pressure tactics of Church and trying to disrupt communal harmony. They don’t have any documents to prove that land at Mand belongs to them, still Chapel Committee is trying to sale lands belonging to Betal temple trust to others. Hence they have illegally planted coconut trees on this land. We appeal Police and administration to stop Chapel Committee from doing these illegal activities.

Goa : Christians oppose the celebration of ‘Divajotsava’ by Hindus at Betul

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Hindus have  been celebrating various festivals like ‘Holi’, ‘Gokulashtami’, Ganesh festival, festival of lamps and annual ‘Satyanarayan Puja’ etc with lot of enthusiasm and in harmony at Mand, Betul; but since last year, Christian community has been creating problems for Hindus in celebrating these festivals, leading to communal discord. Local administration and police have refused to grant permission to Hindus under increasing pressure created by Church, for celebrating ‘Divajotsava’ at Mand. As a result, Hindus had to celebrate this festival at some other place.

We therefore, wish to bring to notice following issues in this connection …

1. Church claimed that the place where Hindus celebrated different religious festivals at Mand in Baradi, Betul belonged to them and stopped Hindus from celebrating these festivals.

2. On November 11, 2019, the local Government administration and police instructed Hindus that they should shift the venue of celebrating ‘Divajotsava’ on 12th November since the place where it was being celebrated in past, belonged to the Church.

3. The old customs followed by Hindus for many years and earlier even by their forefathers hold lot of significance for them. By opposing such celebrations, Hindus’ religious sentiments were hurt.

4. Hindus and Christians have been living peacefully in Goa till now. There has been no religious discord here so far but opposition to religious festivals would disturb such communal harmony. Hindus have never raised objection to religious customs and traditions followed by Christians.

5. Few people are trying to create rift between followers of two religions by refusing permission to Hindus for celebrating their festivals.

Hindus should not therefore, be stopped from celebrating religious festivals at Mand, Betul. Permission should be granted as  earlier, to Hindus for following their traditions and celebrate festivals like ‘Holi’, ‘Satyanarayan-Puja’, ‘Gokulashtami’, Shri Ganesh festival-immersion of idols, ‘Divajotsava’ etc.  Hindus are celebrating these festivals since hundreds of years; therefore, all ‘Gomantakas’ are demanding that the Government should seriously consider granting permission to Hindus for celebrating their festivals at the usual place.