Navy, locals hoist Tricolour at St. Jacinto Island after settling misunderstanding

Goa NCP President instigated St. Jacinto Island residents not to allow hoisting of Tricolour

Editorial Comment

• Despite the anti-national stand of a ‘leader’, he is roaming free ! People expect that suitable action be taken against him and his associates. Every politician must realise the harmful effects of appeasement on the Nation.

Panjim (Goa) – Diffusing the tension at St. Jacinto Island through informal discussions the Tricolour was jointly hoisted by Indian Navy personnel. Naval officials and veterans met the villagers who had been misled by local politicians, and convinced them that there was no ulterior motive behind the Indian Navy’s move to hoist the National Flag. Naval veteran (Capt.) Viriato Fernandes described the tension created by local politicians as ‘uncalled for’ as the whole incident was a ‘case of misunderstanding’ between both sides.

Scores of locals, including the elderly and children turned out to salute the National Flag and sing the National Anthem. The villagers were accompanied by the local chaplain. The flag was hoisted at 2.45 p.m.

Earlier, NCP President in Goa, Jose Phillip D’Souza, instigated the residents of the Christian-dominated St. Jacinto Island residents to not allow the Indian Navy to hoist the Tricolour on the Goan Island on the occasion of Independence Day. The politician made a bizarre claim that the Indian Navy was trying to take over the Island from the locals, the plan to hoist the Tricolour was dropped by the Navy to avoid any controversy.

The Indian Navy cancelled the unfurling of the National Flag after the residents, mainly comprising of Christians, claimed they did not want any authorities from the Central Government or the State Government to carry out any activities on the Island.

St. Jacinto Island, which lies south of Panaji, has predominantly Christian residents and houses two churches dedicated to St. Hyacinth of Poland (São Jacinto) and St. Dominic (São Domingo). The residents of the Island have put up entry restrictions, and tourists are not allowed to visit.

Navy, Locals hoist Tricolour at St Jacinto Island after settling the misunderstanding https://t.co/Cg9KCknpzG

— TOI India (@TOIIndiaNews) August 14, 2021

Indian Navy said this initiative was taken nationwide to instill a sense of patriotism

In the run-up to the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a team from the Goa Naval Area had visited St. Jacinto Island. In a statement, the Indian Navy said this initiative was taken nationwide to instill a sense of patriotism and celebrate the run-up to the 75^th year of independence. As a result, the Union Defense Ministry had asked the forces to unfurl the Flag at various places, including islands.

Congress objects to Independence Day events at St. Jacinto Islands

Not just the NCP, even the Congress was opposed to the Indian Navy hoisting the Indian flag on the Goan Island on the occasion of Independence Day.

Responding to the controversy on 13^th August, Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced that such shenanigans would not be allowed. In two tweets, Sawant announced that he has given the Indian Navy the go-ahead to continue with their original plan of hoisting the Indian flag on the Island.