NEW DELHI: The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of intentionally fueling communal tensions in Goa. In a post on X, he said that Goa's appeal lies in its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its diverse and harmonious people. However, he claimed that under BJP rule, this harmony is being threatened.
Gandhi alleged that the BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh organisations to call for an economic boycott of Muslims. He further said that similar actions by the Sangh Parivar continue across India with impunity, backed by support from the highest levels.
"Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack. The BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh organisations calling for an economic boycott of Muslims," Gandhi said in a post on X.
"In Goa, the BJP's strategy is clear: divide the people while exploiting ecologically sensitive areas by illegally converting green land and bypassing environmental regulations - an assault on Goa's natural and social heritage," he added.
He asserted that the BJP's attempts will not go unchallenged, as the people of Goa and the whole of India see through this divisive agenda and are standing united.
"BJP’s attempts will not go unchallenged. The people of Goa and the whole of India see through this divisive agenda and are standing united," his post read.
Unrest in Goa
On Saturday, Margao witnessed hundreds of people from the minority community blocking roads, leading to a tense situation in South Goa. They called off the protest late at night but gave an ultimatum to the government to arrest Velingkar by 11 am on Sunday. Police detained a few people who continued to protest.
In response to the continued protests by Goa's minority community over an alleged objectionable speech against St Francis Xavier by former RSS Goa chief Subhash Velingkar , CM Pramod Sawant assured that action will be taken against Velingkar.
CM Sawant assured action against Velingkar
"The action which was taken against Fr Bolmax Pereira , the same action will be taken against Velingkar too. He will not be spared," Sawant said. The CM also requested the people not to take law and order into their hands and said that everybody will be given equal justice.
Police said Velingkar has been untraceable since Friday, and multiple teams have been formed to locate him. They even pasted a notice at his residence in Panaji, instructing him to appear at Bicholim police station to join the investigation at 4 pm on Saturday, but he failed to do so.
Bicholim police had registered an FIR against Velingkar on Friday after AAP MLA Velim Cruz Silva filed a complaint against him in Margao. In his complaint, Silva alleged that Velingkar, with malicious intentions, gave a maligning speech against St Francis Xavier at Bicholim on Oct 1, outraging religious feelings and insulting the religious beliefs of the entire religion.
A senior police officer referred to the Fr Bolmax case, saying that an FIR was registered against him for his comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but no immediate arrest was made. Later, the FIR was quashed by the high court.
Gandhi alleged that the BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh organisations to call for an economic boycott of Muslims. He further said that similar actions by the Sangh Parivar continue across India with impunity, backed by support from the highest levels.
"Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack. The BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh organisations calling for an economic boycott of Muslims," Gandhi said in a post on X.
"In Goa, the BJP's strategy is clear: divide the people while exploiting ecologically sensitive areas by illegally converting green land and bypassing environmental regulations - an assault on Goa's natural and social heritage," he added.
He asserted that the BJP's attempts will not go unchallenged, as the people of Goa and the whole of India see through this divisive agenda and are standing united.
Goa’s appeal lies in its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its diverse and harmonious people.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 6, 2024
Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack. The BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh…
"BJP’s attempts will not go unchallenged. The people of Goa and the whole of India see through this divisive agenda and are standing united," his post read.
Unrest in Goa
On Saturday, Margao witnessed hundreds of people from the minority community blocking roads, leading to a tense situation in South Goa. They called off the protest late at night but gave an ultimatum to the government to arrest Velingkar by 11 am on Sunday. Police detained a few people who continued to protest.
In response to the continued protests by Goa's minority community over an alleged objectionable speech against St Francis Xavier by former RSS Goa chief Subhash Velingkar , CM Pramod Sawant assured that action will be taken against Velingkar.
CM Sawant assured action against Velingkar
"The action which was taken against Fr Bolmax Pereira , the same action will be taken against Velingkar too. He will not be spared," Sawant said. The CM also requested the people not to take law and order into their hands and said that everybody will be given equal justice.
Police said Velingkar has been untraceable since Friday, and multiple teams have been formed to locate him. They even pasted a notice at his residence in Panaji, instructing him to appear at Bicholim police station to join the investigation at 4 pm on Saturday, but he failed to do so.
Bicholim police had registered an FIR against Velingkar on Friday after AAP MLA Velim Cruz Silva filed a complaint against him in Margao. In his complaint, Silva alleged that Velingkar, with malicious intentions, gave a maligning speech against St Francis Xavier at Bicholim on Oct 1, outraging religious feelings and insulting the religious beliefs of the entire religion.
A senior police officer referred to the Fr Bolmax case, saying that an FIR was registered against him for his comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but no immediate arrest was made. Later, the FIR was quashed by the high court.
