Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 2: The Goa Tourism Department has been embroiled in a controversy after its official Twitter handle referred to Maratha's led by King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as an 'invader'.

The department immediately withdrew the tweet and issued a corrigendum, but the state tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said that he will initiate an inquiry into the incident.

Leader of the opposition, Digambar Kamat said, "The irresponsible BJP government insulted the Marathas led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”

The controversy broke after the state tourism department’s official Twitter handle @TourismGoa describing the Aguada Jail, which is a part of the historic fort, referred to Dutch and Marathas as invaders. The fort is located across the Mandovi River near Panaji in North Goa.

“The Aguada Jail is part of the beautiful Fort Aguada which was built in 1612. This fort which once defended Portuguese stronghold against the Dutch and Maratha invaders is divided into two parts.”

Soon after tweeting, the department withdrew its post issuing a corrigendum “In our post about Aguada fort, the word 'invader' was meant to be used for the Dutch. It was intended to be read 'stronghold against Dutch invaders and Maratha rulers' instead of the erroneous reference. We regret the error and apologise.”

The state tourism minister Ajgaonkar said that such an error is condemnable and he would initiate an inquiry into the incident.

“This kind of tweet should not have happened. I will immediately inquire into the incident,” Ajgaonkar said.

Reacting to the goof-up, Kamat tweeted "The irresponsible @BJP4Goa Government INSULTS Maratha's led by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by calling the Great Warriors as INVADERS. @TourismGoa clarification makes propaganda of Salazars Portuguese Regime. Is this the MODIfied History @BJP4India now writing @goacm? @INCGoa”.