Unauthorised construction of a ‘cross’ over 100 square metres on the national highway in Parvari (Goa) !

• Despite multiple complaints to the administration, no action has been taken

• No offence has been registered against the construction

Illegal cross in Parvari: This is the unauthorised ‘cross’ erected in the area !

Panaji (Goa), 25 March – On National Highway No. 66 in Parvari, opposite ‘Mall de Goa’, anti-social elements have encroached upon nearly 100 square metres of land and erected a 10-foot-tall Christian ‘cross’. It has been reported that despite repeated requests by concerned citizens for action regarding this structure, the local administration has merely given assurances and failed to act. No case has been registered in this matter. This information was provided to ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ by a local citizen, Kamalakant Chaturvedi.

Mr Kamalakant Chaturvedi had noticed about two months ago that unauthorised construction of a ‘cross’ was underway on the national highway near ‘Mall de Goa’ in Parvari. He first informed the local District Collector, Ankit Yadav, via email on 12 January and then again on 6 March. Subsequently, the administration had demolished the structure; however, construction resumed at the same location. This has raised suspicions of possible collusion between the administration or local politicians and anti-social elements. Therefore, the earlier demolition now appears to have been merely superficial action. A fresh official complaint regarding the renewed construction has been filed on 24 March. (Arrogant Christians who disregard law and order ! If the administration does not act against such elements, then patriotic citizens must unite and compel the government to take action not only against anti-social forces but also against the concerned administrative officials ! – Editor)

Exact location of the ‘cross’

The construction of the ‘cross’ is being carried out along National Highway No. 66 passing through Parvari village, occupying nearly 100 square metres on the roadside, directly opposite ‘Mall de Goa’ and ‘ICICI Bank’.

Petition to be filed in court, District Collector to be made a party

After repeated complaints yielded no concrete action, Mr Chaturvedi has issued a warning to the administration. He stated that this encroachment on a major highway could soon lead to traffic congestion and disorder. He urged that the encroachment be removed immediately and appropriate legal action be taken. Otherwise, he said, they would be left with no option but to file a petition in the Hon High Court, making the North Goa District Collector and the State Chief Secretary parties to the case for deliberately ignoring this encroachment.

Editorial Perspectives

• It would not be wrong for any devout Hindu to feel – Is such indifference by the administration truly secularism ? If an unauthorised temple had been constructed in this case, would the administration not have taken suo motu cognisance and promptly used a bulldozer against it ?

• Such an incident is not expected in Goa, where a devout Hindu-supporting BJP government is in power ! The government must take immediate steps to bulldoze this structure !