Panaji, Goa – On the occasion of Goa Revolution Day on 18 June, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti paid tribute to martyrs at the ‘Haat Katro Khamb’ in Old Goa. Today, the ‘Haat Katro Khamb’ stands as the sole remaining witness to the unspeakable atrocities inflicted upon Goan Hindus under Portuguese rule during the ‘Goa Inquisition’. Present on this occasion were Shri. Shankar Varadkar, the National President of the ‘Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Ladha’; Shri. Jayesh Thali, Secretary of the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh; Shri. Satyavijay Naik, Goa State Organiser of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti; along with professors, teachers, and students from St. Aloysius High School and Shri Saraswati Vidyalaya in Divar.
During the programme, the attending dignitaries placed wreaths on the historic ‘Haat Katro Khamb’ and paid a solemn tribute to the known and unknown martyrs who fought against the Portuguese invaders. On this occasion, students held banners in their hands and raised slogans that awakened patriotism. Speaking at the event, the National President of the ‘Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Ladha’, Shri. Shankar Varadkar, said, “Today, protecting our culture, traditions, temples, and identity to eradicate ideological slavery will be the true resolve of our times.”
Teacher Shri. Shivaji Uzarekar said, “It is our responsibility today to preserve the freedom we have received and to protect our culture.” Secretary of the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh, Shri. Jayesh Thali, remarked, “Our ancestors were warriors; that is why they preserved Hindu culture even under an oppressive regime. Everyone should draw inspiration from this.” Goa State Organiser of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Shri. Satyavijay Naik, stated, “The ‘Haat Katro Khamb’ is a symbol of Hindu self-respect and sacrifice. Today, unfortunately, attempts are being made to suppress the history of the ‘Haat Katro Khamb’ and change its name. Self-respecting Hindus must foil these attempts.”
