By Marcellus D’Souza

Apr 6: The Goa government has begun the process of restoring temples which were destroyed during the Portuguese colonial era, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday. Sawant said, “The state government's Archives and Archaeology had already begun working on the process of restoration of such temples destroyed in the Portuguese era”. Sawant in his recent budget speech had allocated Rs 20 crore for the purpose.

"Archives and archaeology are working on it," Sawant told reporters. Sawant holds the Archives and Archaeology portfolio.

It was one of the first decisions taken by Pramod Sawant on assuming office of the chief minister of Goa to lead the 0.2 government. The Portuguese had ruled Goa for 450-years and in its quest for power had destroyed many Hindu temples.

Sawant had made this poll promise at the inaugurating ceremony of the revamped tourism facilities at the historic Shree Mangueshi Temple at Mangueshi, Ponda, Pramod Sawant said, “During the 60th anniversary of Goa’s liberation, I am seeking the strength from you to preserve our Hindu sanskriti and temple sanskriti”.

However, the Chief Minister has not spelled out the terms of this largesse. What is the methodology to be used to determine if a temple was actually destroyed or if a church stands on a temple site? Will the government rely on oral history, beliefs or scientific proof has not been spelt out either by the Archaeology department or by the chief minister. Will Pramod Sawant take responsibility for any communal flare-up that raises its ugly head due to this actions?

The Goans have lived in harmony with Catholic neighbours for all these centuries. The common thread between the communities is the language and the fact that both communities identify themselves as being ‘Goan’.
Suddenly the right wing has begun to demand the restoration of temples that were destroyed. The VHP had made this demand two years ago. This year, a video went viral of a Bajrang Dal member threatening a staff member of the Archives and Archaeology department demanding that he stop the novena and feast associated to Saint Joseph Vaz in Sancoale.

Pramod Sawant’s announcement that work has begun has given the sentiments voiced by right wing politician’s credence. Is winning 20 seats in the State Legislature Assembly, a shift towards right wing politics?

Is this trend good for Goa? Hindu’s make up 66.80% of the total population, while Christians, on the other hand, and constitute 25.10%. The communities are in no way competing with each other. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated on December 3 at the Basilica of Bom Jesus and is attended by both communities with equal fervor. All communities consider the Saint ‘Goencho Saib’.

Even Chief Minister Pramod Sawant attends the High Mass and pays his respects. I’m sure that Pramod Sawant is aware of the rumour about this sacred site. Will the chief minister order the Archaeology department to uproot the truth behind this rumor which houses the sacred relics of the saint which were placed in a glass container encased in a silver casket on 2 December 1637. This casket, constructed by Goan silversmiths between 1636 and 1637, was an exemplary blend of Italian and Indian aesthetic sensibilities. There are 32 silver plates on all four sides of the casket, depicting different episodes from the life of Saint Xavier.

I have witnessed a unique phenomenon in Calangute. The Shree Shanta Durga Temple lights lamps and ring the temple bells when Our Lady, Mother of Jesus is taken in procession through the streets. This is religious harmony in its purist form.

While, Pramod Sawant may placate the religious sentiments of the ultra Hindu, he will never be able to destroy the social fabric of Goans. Religion which is an emotive issue, may have allowed him to win the second term but Goans are more concerned with their lands and their livelihoods.