Idol Desecration inGoa. Hindus Wake up

Goa Bandh agitation on 20 Oct 2008 to protest the series of incidents of Hindu deities idols desecration.

Introduction

During the era of Portuguese invasion in Goa, the Portuguese
compelled the Hindus to convert to Christianity. They committed
horrible atrocities on the Hindus, attacked their temples and
desecrated the temple idols to create terror in their minds. Goa has a
black history of the infamous inquisition. After a couple of years, Goa
will celebrate the golden jubilee of its independence. However, it is
sad to note that desecration of idols of Hindu Deities and Saints
continue to occur. Till date, 15 such desecration incidents have
occurred in Goa during the period from August 2004 to September 2008 at
places viz. Sanguem, Curchorem, Bambolim, Ponda, Chodan, Quepem,
Panaji, etc., but not even a single culprit has been booked in all the
above cases. By destroying the idols, these heretics are trying to ruin
the faith of Hindus in their Deities, Saints and Dharma. The Congress
Govt. in Goa is also neglecting such serious incidents!

In view of the increasing incidences of idol desecration in Goa,
several Hindu organisations, temple trustees and devotees came together
to form the Akhil Goa Mandir Suraksha Samiti (AGMSS). The AGMSS is
instrumental in creating awareness amongst the masses to curb the
deplorable series of desecration of idols of Hindu Deities and Saints
in Goa. The RSS, Bajarang Dal, Padmanabh Sect Trust, various trustees
of devotees of different temples of Goa, Sanatan Sanstha and the Hindu
Janajagruti Samiti have been instrumental in forming the AGMSS. An
important feature of AGMSS is that, right from its inception, its
activities are being guided by H.H. Bramheshanand Swamiji, Pithadeesh
of Padmanabh Sect, Tapobhoomi, Kundaim, Goa. Till date, the AGMSS has
conducted around 50 meetings in almost all Talukas of the State and one
state level mass public gathering in the capital of the State to
achieve its objective. Both, the above meetings and the gathering have
received a spontaneous response from devotees all over the State.

The AGMSS, a state-level organisation, is backed by around 700
representatives of 400 temples of Goa. The overwhelming response
received by the AGMSS’ activities itself is evident of its noble
intent. The repercussion of AGMSS’ awareness programs is that any
incident of idol desecration occurring now is promptly and strongly
protested by devotees.