Former Goa RSS chief goes 'absconding' after FIR over remarks on St Francis Xavier
Panaji: Goa Police have stated that Subhash Velingkar, the former Goa unit chief of the RSS, is currently "absconding" after an FIR was registered against him for his remarks on St Francis Xavier, triggering widespread protests across the state. Raids are being conducted to trace his whereabouts.
The FIR was lodged at North Goa’s Bicholim police station on Friday night based on a complaint filed by AAP MLA Cruz Silva. According to the FIR, the accused, with "malicious intentions," made a speech that allegedly outraged the religious feelings and insulted the beliefs of the complainant, his religious community, and others.
Following Velingkar’s statement calling for a "DNA test" of the relics of St Francis Xavier, revered as the patron saint of Goa, at least half a dozen complaints were filed against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and disrupting communal harmony. The FIR has been registered under section 299 of BNS (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
Protests erupted on Friday, with over 300 people, including leaders from Congress and AAP, gathering outside the police station in Margao, demanding Velingkar's arrest. On Saturday, protesters blocked roads in Margao, Anjuna, and Old Goa, prompting the police to resort to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. The protesters issued an ultimatum, threatening to block the Zuari Bridge if the accused is not arrested soon.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appealed for calm and urged people not to block roads. “Whatever action was taken [in the case] against Fr Bolmax [Pereira], similar action will be applied for Velingkar,” said Sawant.
Fr Bolmax Pereira, the parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim, was booked last year for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a sermon.
The Congress party released a statement emphasising the importance of maintaining Goa’s unique identity of communal harmony and urged the government to preserve this "sensitive fabric" of peace and respect. BJP Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo also criticised Velingkar, stating, “St Francis Xavier is a saint revered by people from all religions. People like Velingkar make such statements just to gain limelight and create rifts between communities.”
Velingkar was previously removed from the RSS in 2016. As of now, the police are continuing their efforts to locate him.Former Goa RSS chief goes 'absconding' after FIR over remarks on St Francis Xavier
Panaji: Goa Police have stated that Subhash Velingkar, the former Goa unit chief of the RSS, is currently "absconding" after an FIR was registered against him for his remarks on St Francis Xavier, triggering widespread protests across the state. Raids are being conducted to trace his whereabouts.
The FIR was lodged at North Goa’s Bicholim police station on Friday night based on a complaint filed by AAP MLA Cruz Silva. According to the FIR, the accused, with "malicious intentions," made a speech that allegedly outraged the religious feelings and insulted the beliefs of the complainant, his religious community, and others.
Following Velingkar’s statement calling for a "DNA test" of the relics of St Francis Xavier, revered as the patron saint of Goa, at least half a dozen complaints were filed against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and disrupting communal harmony. The FIR has been registered under section 299 of BNS (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
Protests erupted on Friday, with over 300 people, including leaders from Congress and AAP, gathering outside the police station in Margao, demanding Velingkar's arrest. On Saturday, protesters blocked roads in Margao, Anjuna, and Old Goa, prompting the police to resort to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. The protesters issued an ultimatum, threatening to block the Zuari Bridge if the accused is not arrested soon.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appealed for calm and urged people not to block roads. “Whatever action was taken [in the case] against Fr Bolmax [Pereira], similar action will be applied for Velingkar,” said Sawant.
Fr Bolmax Pereira, the parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim, was booked last year for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a sermon.
The Congress party released a statement emphasising the importance of maintaining Goa’s unique identity of communal harmony and urged the government to preserve this "sensitive fabric" of peace and respect. BJP Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo also criticised Velingkar, stating, “St Francis Xavier is a saint revered by people from all religions. People like Velingkar make such statements just to gain limelight and create rifts between communities.”
Velingkar was previously removed from the RSS in 2016. As of now, the police are continuing their efforts to locate him.
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NDA's win in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation watershed moment in Kerala politics: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday termed the mandate received by the BJP-led NDA in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation a "watershed moment" in Kerala's politics and expressed gratitude to the BJP workers for the "spectacular results".
The Left parties suffered a major setback in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, held by them for 45 years, as the BJP-led NDA surged ahead with a huge lead.
Reacting to the civic body results, the prime minister said it is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of karyakartas (workers) in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured today's result became a reality.
"Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Kerala's politics," he wrote on 'X'.
PM Modi said the people are certain that the development aspirations of Kerala can only be addressed by the BJP. "Our Party will work towards this vibrant city's growth and boost 'Ease of Living' for the people," he said with the hashtag #VikasitaThiruvananthapuram.
The prime minister said the BJP karyakartas are the strength of the party, and everyone is proud of them.
"My gratitude to all hardworking BJP karyakartas who have worked among the people, which has ensured a spectacular result in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation," he said.
