Include the history of ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ in school textbooks!

Excavate the site of the ‘Inquisition House’ (‘Vaddlem Ghor’) at Old Goa and bring the dark history of the Inquisition before the world!

Goa Khabar: The Hindu Rashtra coordination committee has demanded that the history of the historic ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ at Old Goa be included in school textbooks and that the site of the ‘Inquisition House’ (‘Vaddlem Ghor’) at Old Goa be excavated to bring the history of the Inquisition before the world.

The demands were made at a press conference organised by the Samiti at Azad Maidan, Panaji, on 30th September. Those present at the press conference included Hindu Rashtra coordination commit member Mr. Satyavijay Naik; Secretary of Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh Mr. Jayesh Thali and member Mr. Satyawan Mhamal; Vishwa Hindu Parishad members Mr. Sanju Korgaonkar and Mr. Krishna Marathe; ‘Hindu Raksha Mahaghadi’ representative Mr. Ramdas Sawikar; Vasco-based Hindu activist Mr. Parshuram Ganachari; and ‘Hindu Yuva Shakti and Goa’ representative Mr. Vinod Warkhandkar.

At the outset, the committee has demanded that the history of the historic ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ at Old Goa be include congratulated the Goa Government for issuing notifications granting protected status to the historic structures of ‘Mardangad’ in Ponda and ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ at Old Goa under the Goa Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1978. *Speaking at the press conference, Hindu Rashtra coordination committee member Mr. Satyavijay Naik said,* “UNESCO has included several sites at Old Goa on its list. The government should now make efforts to have ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ included in the UNESCO list as well.

The history of ‘Hatkatro Khamb’ should be included in school textbooks so that the history of our self-respecting ancestors reaches future generations.” *Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh Secretary Jayesh Thali said,*“The demand to change the name of the pillar is an attempt to play with the sentiments of freedom fighters. We will never tolerate any attempt to change the name of ‘Hatkatro Khamb’, and if such an attempt is made, an agitation will be launched across the State against it. The government should excavate Old Goa to locate and establish the site of ‘Vaddlem Ghor’ (Inquisition House) and the pilgrimage site of Lord Mahadev, and bring the history of the Inquisition before the world.” *Vasco-based Vishwa Hindu Parishad representative Sanju Korgaonkar said,*“The demand to change the name of the pillar is a futile attempt to erase from history the atrocities committed by the Portuguese. The history of the Inquisition in Goa and the suffering of Hindus must reach future generations.”