Old Goa: In a spontaneous show of protest against the recent act of the ABVP (student wing of BJP) who were allegedly involved in heckling and forcing two nuns and their two novices off a train in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi for suspected religious conversion, Indian Youth Congress Goa led a protest at Old Goa Gandhi Circle.
The meeting addressed by leaders of various Congress frontal organisations and key members of the Civil Society denounced the ABVP for its condemnable act.
“Who is the ABVP to decide on what purpose these nuns were travelling and who are they to decide whether what should those lone accompanied ladies should wear or get off the train”, asked Varad Mardolkar, President, IYC – Goa, “ABVP is a students’ organisation. Is this the kind of education that these students are learning – attacking lone women and judging them unprovoked? BJP/RSS never had the education and intellect enough to understand the Constitution. How can you expect them to respect women and other religion”, he added.
“Let them try this heinous act another time, the Youth Congress will publicly humiliate and have them handed to the Law” warned Mardolkar.
Other members of the Congress Party also spoke on the occasion and reassured the minorities and the women in general that the Party stood firmly behind them. “Smriti Irani says how people dress, what they eat isn’t neta’s business. Why doesn’t she teach this to all her young student members? I, on behalf of the entire Congress Party in the state and this country, assure all the women in Goa, Goa’s Church, all the Jamaats and the entire minority community too that you are safe and we stand by you. If anybody feels threatened, please reach across. This is India’s fight against fascists who are also trying to pollute Goa’s legendary secular legacy. We won’t let this happen”, asserted Girish Chodankar, President, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee.
Also present for the said protest was Beena Shataram Naik the new Incharge President of Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress
