Panaji: A political row has erupted in Goa after a police complaint was filed against right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar for allegedly making objectionable remarks against the state’s patron saint, St Francis Xavier.
While the organisers of the event where Khattar made the statement in Vasco distanced themselves from his speech and condemned it, Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai, demanded his immediate arrest.
I strongly condemn the malicious and deeply offensive remarks made by Gautam Khattar, who insulted Goencho Saib and hurt the religious sentiments of Goemkars (Goans). I urge the Chief Minister to take immediate action and ensure his arrest, Alemao said in a statement released here.
Alemao said that such divisive and hateful statements have no place in Goa, a land known for communal harmony. We will not allow anyone to disturb our unity or disrespect our faith. This case must be dealt with an iron hand, he added.
Congress MLA Altone D’Costa demanded Khattar’s immediate arrest, condemning the statement as hurtful to religious sentiments and capable of disturbing communal harmony in the state. Another Congress leader, Peter D’Souza, filed a formal complaint against Khattar at Vasco Police Station.
Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai, joining the demand, said that Khattar should be arrested for calling Goencho Saib a terrorist.
Sardesai urged CM Dr Pramod Sawant to direct Goa Police to take cognisance, register an FIR immediately, and initiate strict action.
The video of Khattar making objectionable statements against St Francis Xavier, whose holy relics are preserved at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, went viral. He was addressing an event on Saturday evening in the presence of religious guru Swami Brahmeshanand, State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, and BJP MLAs Sankulp Amonkar and Daji (Krishna) Salkar.
Khattar is the founder of the organisation Sanatan Mahasangh.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Congress MLA Altone D’Costa demanded the immediate arrest of Khattar before he leaves the state. He said that Goa Police should immediately arrest Khattar, who insulted Goencho Saib (patron saint of Goa) in the presence of Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankulp Amonkar and Daji Salkar.
His speech was a clear attempt to spread communal disharmony in Goa. Goencho Saib is a revered saint worshipped by people from all religions. Khattar should be arrested before he leaves Goa, D’Costa said.
He also demanded that a case be filed against the organisers of the event.
The event to mark Bhagwan Parshuram Janmotsav was organised by Sanatan Dharma Raksha Samiti, Mormugao.
Congress leader Peter D’Souza, who filed a case against Khattar at Vasco Police Station, said that the speaker had consciously hurt religious sentiments. He has no right to make statements against our religion or our saint. I have filed a case under relevant sections of the BNS against Khattar, he said.
Meanwhile, Sanatan Dharma Raksha Samiti has distanced itself from Khattar’s statement.
We are tendering an apology to all our Christian brothers with whom we have been living like brothers. We never expected Khattar to make such a statement, and we had tried to stop him, the organisers said in a video statement released here.
When contacted, a senior police officer said that they are examining the complaint filed by D’Souza.
