Report: Sanjay Borkar
Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji (SP)

Panaji, Aug 24: Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) has demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, over the expression of solidarity  by him to an exhibition of paintings of Lord Ganesha organized by Dr Subodh Kerkar.  The Hindu organizations are up in arms against the paintings Kerkar put up at the exhibition, as they claim, the paintings are in bad taste and that they were denigratory in nature, depict Lord Ganesha in poor light and hurt the sentiments of the Hindus.

While addressing a press conference in Panaji, Jayesh Thali of the HJS, Sadashiv Dhond of the Dharma Shakti Sena, Madhura Bhosale of Sanatan Sanstha, renowned artist Sanjay Harmalkar and social worker Chandrakant (Bhai) Pandit, strongly demanded the resignation of Chief Minister.

HJS said that as per the Indian constitution, it is a grave offence to hurt the religious sentiments of any of the citizens of the country.  Dr Subodh Kerkar has insensitively dealt a blow to the sentiments of the Hindus by exhibiting the denigrating paintings of Lord Ganesha at Calangute on the 20th and 21st August. It said, it has been revealed that the Congress government of Goa had extended full support for holding this exhibition. It also alleged, that it has come to light, that the CM, Digambar Kamat, had assured Dr Kerkar that police protection would be provided for the exhibition.

HJS informed that they had filed a police complaint against Dr Kerkar on August 14 in this connection. The policemen had forwarded the case to the director of prosecution to ascertain as to the section under which legal action could be initiated against Dr Kerkar. Ironically, the director of prosecution is yet to make public his decision, even though the exhibition of paintings was held as scheduled, it explained.

HJS has questioned as to whose permission Dr Kerkar had obtained, to hold his exhibition, in spite of the fact that the verdict on the desirability of holding the painting exhibition was being awaited and what action will be taken against the official who granted this permission.