Peace rally to be held in Goa on July 16

PANAJI

: Following the recent spate in desecration of religious symbols in the state, Goa’s artiste fraternity announced a peace rally scheduled to be held on July 16 at Lohia Maidan, Margao. Representatives of the state’s entertainment and tourism industry led by singer Hema

Sardesai

, appealed to the citizens of Goa to participate in the event in solidarity of communal harmony.

"Incidents by miscreants to create religious divide among Goans will not dent us. We will come together and celebrate our unity through this rally." she said.

Sardesai was joined by noted Bollywood cinematographer

Shirish Desai

, upcoming singer Aman Shaikh, event manager

Roussel Miranda

and president of the Goa Beach Shack Owners’ Association, Cruz Cardozo; among others.

The peace rally will be followed by a public meeting and a music concert free-of-cost for attendees.

Several holy crosses and a temple have been vandalized in the state by unidentified persons in the past week. Recently, gravestones at a Curchorem-based cemetery were also allegedly damaged by unidentified persons.