After local residents objected to the navy’s plan to unfurl the national flag on Sao Jacinto island in South Goa on Independence Day, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant asked naval authorities to go ahead with the flag hoisting programme as planned, and issued a stern warning to the islanders that any “anti-India activities” would be deafening.
Some people on the island protesting to the flag being hoisted was “unfortunate and disgraceful,” according to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who added that his government will not allow such “anti-India” gestures.
The Ministry of Defence has scheduled the unfurling of the national flag on islands around the country between August 13 and 15, as part of the statewide ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ programme to mark 75 years of independence, authorities said.
As part of this pan-India project, a team from the navy’s INS Hansa station in Goa toured islands in Goa, including Sao Jacinto island, according to a spokesperson for the navy’s INS Hansa base in Goa.
“However, the idea at Sao Jacinto Island had to be scrapped due to citizen opposition,” the navy spokeswoman added.
The island of Sao Jacinto is located near Vasco town in the South Goa district of Goa.
The nationwide ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign, according to the navy officer, aims to create a sense of patriotism and commemorate India’s 75th year of independence.
“It is unfortunate and shameful that some individuals at St. Jacinto Island have objected to the Indian Navy hoisting the National Flag on the occasion of India’s Independence Day,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Twitter late Friday evening in response to the navy’s announcement that the flag-hoisting programme would be cancelled. I strongly condemn this and want to make it clear that my government will not allow such behavior.”
“I have requested the Indian Navy to go ahead with their original plan and have assured full cooperation from Goa Police. These attempts of anti-India activities shall be dealt with an iron fist. It will always be Nation First,” he added.
