Goa Police keep eye on Sanatan Sanstha ahead of Diwali

PANAJI - Goa Police will maintain vigil on the Sanatan Sanstha (SS) in the run-up to Diwali, especially as some office-bearers of the rightwing Hindu group have warned against “glorifying Narakasur”, a mythical demon, in connection with the festival.

A police spokesperson said the vigil comes in the wake of statements by Sanstha officials that they would be starting an ‘awareness’ campaign against glorification of the demon Narakasur on Diwali eve.

“We will keep a watch on all activities in the state. Security will also be intensified,” Superintendent of Police (Special branch) Atmaram Deshpande said.

Charges against 13 members of the Sanstha have been formally filed with the court for allegedly triggering an IED explosion in a crowded area where a drama depicting the slaying of Narakasur was being held Oct 16 last year. Two Sanstha members - also called sadhaks or seekers - died in the blast.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in its charge sheet filed earlier this year, pointed out that the main aim of the Diwali eve blast in Margao, 30 km from here, was to create fear in the minds of people attending the Narakasur celebrations, which will be held Nov 5 this year.

Like the more popular and more conventional Ram-slaying-Ravan scenes which are enacted in several other parts of India on Dussehra, symbolising the victory of good over evil, Krishna’s slaying of demon Narakasur is also meant to convey a similar sentiment in the ritual here.

–Indo Asian News Service