Devout Hindu activists warn to perform collective puja in the temple if the ban is not withdrawn

• Ban on puja condemned during the ongoing ‘Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav’ in Goa

• Warning to agitate on the streets

Statue of Mother India at Devagiri Fort

Ponda (Goa) – The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has denied permission to perform puja and other rituals at the only temple dedicated to ‘Bharat Mata’ at Deogiri Fort. The oppressive decision of ASI was strongly and unanimously condemned during the ongoing ‘Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav (Global Hindu Rashtra Convention)’ while demanding immediate permission to resume puja. The resolution was passed amidst the slogans of ‘Har Har Mahadev’.

From left on the dais while passing the resolution. Pawan Sinha Guruji, Advocate Dilip Deshmukh, Shri. Guruprasad Gowda and Mr. Sunil Ghanwat

It has been informed by Sunil Ghanwat, State Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) for Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, through a press release, that the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, fort enthusiasts and devout Hindu activists would perform puja collectively at ‘Bharat Mata’ Mandir at the 11^th century Deogiri fort. The Police and the Government administration will be solely responsible for law-and-order problems created, if any, as a consequence. The Government should not become the cause of discontent amongst all the fort enthusiasts and followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by imposing a ban on puja; else, they will take to the streets and stage demonstrations. It has been further stated in the press release that according to the rules set by ASI, a religious act cannot be banned at an archaeological site if it has been carried out for a very long time e.g. namaz is read at Taj Mahal every Friday and at ‘Gyanvapi’ built by demolishing Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and also at Kamal Maulana Mosque at Bhojshala in Madhya Pradesh. If a ban is imposed on puja at Bharat Mata Temple, though it has been going on since 1948, would ASI show guts to stop namaz at the Taj Mahal, Gyanvapi mosque and at Kamal Maulana Mosque in Dhar, MP ? In fact, the ban on performing puja is an anti-national act of ASI. The Union Government should take strict action against the concerned people and send a right message to the
people of this country.

If the ban on Devi Puja at Devgiri Fort is not withdrawn, Shivpremis and devout Hindus will go to the temple and perform collective Puja

Protest lodged at the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav

Also committed to protest on streets against the ban.#Free_Hindu_Temples @SG_HJS pic.twitter.com/NVksRMhdJf

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) June 28, 2024