‘Declare pillar at Old Goa as monument’ - Herald

April 18, 2014

 

TEAM HERALD

 

PANJIM: In a move that could lead to a fresh controversy, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, a right wing outfit, has demanded that the state government declare the “Haat Kaatro Khaamb” a memorial at Old Goa be declared a heritage monument. 

“The ‘Haat Kaatro Khaamb’, a memorial at Old Goa, is the symbol of the sacrifice of lives of citizens of the State, for their self-respect,” the State Convenor of the HJS Manoj Solanki said. 

However, a Google search for “Haat kaatro khaamb Old Goa” or other similar search terms did not match any documents out of trillions of references available online, so it is unclear what exactly the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti are referring to. 

In the representation submitted to the chief minister, the HJS has said that the ‘Haat Kaatro Khaamb’ pillar is a witness of severe atrocities meted out to Hindus in the State during the Portuguese regime. 

“As of date, the said pillar is in a dilapidated condition. Two of its chains have been broken by someone. There is no fencing around the pillar. There is not even a board telling the history behind the pillar,” Solanki said. 

“The ‘Haat Kaatro Khaamb’ is not a monument to be ashamed of for the citizens of the State. On the contrary it is a monument to be proud of, as a symbol of the citizens who sacrificed their lives to preserve their self-respect,” they said. They have sought that along with conserving the ‘Haat Kaatro Khaamb’ as a historical monument, there should be fencing around it for protection and a brass or stone plaque giving detailed information about the pillar. 

“The Government should maintain and protect the pillar and also information about the pillar should be given in the tourism map of Goa,” they said.  

Copies of this representation will be forwarded to the Minister of Archives, Sudin Dhavalikar, MP Shripad Naik, Leader of the Opposition in the Goa State Assembly Pratapsing Rane, ex-Minister Ramakant Khalap and other senior politicians of Goa.

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