Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue brought in more controversy after the unveiling ceremony in Goa on Monday when stones were pelted resulting in minor injuries to Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai.
The incident unfolded in Sao Jose De Areal village near Margao, where a group had erected a statue of Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on private land donated by a Muslim resident.
However, another group opposed the installation, leading to protests and heavy police deployment.
During the official unveiling ceremony on Monday afternoon, minister Phal Desai became the target of stone pelting after attempting to engage with protesters.
He sustained minor injuries but declined to press charges, citing concerns about maintaining communal harmony.
While Desai emphasised that the statue aimed to honour Shivaji's legacy, villagers reportedly expressed objections related to the specific location and potential disruption to existing cultural practices.
Local BJP leader Savio Rodrigues condemned the attack and advocated for respecting Shivaji's memory, while emphasising personal respect for religious diversity.
Taking to his X handle, Rodrigues lamented, “I condemn the stone pelting done by some miscreants at Paroda on Goa Minister Subash Phaldessai and others who were returning from the installation of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Sao Jose De Areal, Velim. Some people instigated by communal forces in Goa are behaving as hooligans. I had warned just a few hours ago that some elements want to disturb the communal harmony in Goa and drive a wedge between Hindus and Christians who have been living peacefully by using Chhatrapati Shivaji as point of contention to drive communal hatred.”
The situation in Sao Jose De Areal remains tense, with police maintaining a presence to prevent further disturbances.
An investigation into the stone-pelting incident is underway, but details regarding potential arrests or charges are yet to be disclosed.
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