Row over Shivaji statue: 6-hour impasse as protesters camp at Goa panchayat office

The protesters also demanded that the sarpanch issue a public apology for the panchayat’s decision, which they claimed had hurt Hindu sentiments.

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The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj near the Calangute police station. (Express photo by Pavneet Singh Chadha)

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North Goa’s Calangute remained tense on Tuesday after a group of around 200 people camped outside the panchayat office for around six hours, demanding that the panchayat revoke its decision to direct authorities to remove a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that had been installed near the Calangute police station.

The protesters also demanded that the sarpanch issue a public apology for the panchayat’s decision, which they claimed had hurt Hindu sentiments.

While the panchayat members stayed inside, police were deployed in large numbers outside to keep the protesters from entering the office. As the impasse went on, some protesters scuffled with police and some pelted stones, breaking a window of the panchayat office as well as the windows of two cars.

Six hours into the protest, Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira walked out of the office, escorted by several police personnel, and issued an apology.

“The order has been withdrawn. If I have hurt anyone’s sentiments by issuing the notice, I apologise,” Sequeira said.

After Sequeira issued the apology late in the evening, the protesters declared “victory”.

Yashaswini B, deputy collector, Mapusa, said the protesters then dispersed and situation was brought under control. The protesters said they were affiliated with groups such as Shivswarajya Calangute, Karni Sena Sangathan, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena.