3 meetings held in Swindon, Cranford-Hounslow, Wembley; Goans seek action against divisive elements
Goans hold posters during a meeting in Swindon-UK on Sunday evening.
Photo Credits: John Soares
LONDON
Amid widespread protests across Goa over derogatory statements by Subhash Velingkar against St Francis Xavier, hundreds of Goans also made their anger felt in the UK by participating in three separate protest meetings in Swindon, Cranford-Hounslow, and Wembley on Sunday.
Denouncing Velingkar for his comments which had hurt religious sentiments and demanding that the Goa government takes action against divisive forces, speakers at all three meetings stated that Goa had been acclaimed for its communal harmony and statements against the ‘Goencho Saib’ were unwarranted and divisive.
Concerned about the situation in Goa, they decried at attempts to use religion as a way to divide and destroy Goa’s harmony.
The first meeting was organised by ‘Goans in UK’ at the Broadgreen basketball court in Swindon, a city over 100 miles from London.
Swindon Mayor Imtiyaz Shaikh addressing a meeting in Swindon-UK on Sunday evening. Photo: John Soares
In his address, Mayor of Swindon, Imtiyaz Shaikh, who hails from Vasco, recalled how people in Goa never distinguished among fellow Goans by their religious affiliations, but always lived in harmony.
“We always celebrated each other’s religious feasts and functions. We have collectively met here today for the love of St Francis Xavier and show our unity among Goans. We have come together to raise our disappointment and concerns over what is happening in Goa,” said Shaikh.
“We must respect various religions and today’s peaceful protest is showing unity what Goa is about. There should be a strict law to stop people using religion to upset sentiments.”
Stating that Goans in the UK are upset over present developments in Goa, Domingos Saby Dias said statements by Velingkar regarding St Francis Xavier were unacceptable.
“We are aware that more outsiders are keen to grab land and use of religion to distract Goans is not acceptable. Outsiders have other intentions in Goa and using different agenda to achieve their goals.”
“We have planned to send a strong message to the government expressing our sentiments and disappointment over what is happening in Goa regarding St Francis Xavier,” said Dias.
Hundreds of Goans attend a meeting in Swindon-UK on Sunday evening. Photo: John Soares
Swindon Councillor Annabelle Pegado also claimed that plans are being made to divert attention to other issues confronting Goa and religion is being used as a way to deflect attention and divert the issues from the general public.
Among the many speakers included Cio Marques, Chingo Cardozo, Anton Bab, Lino Mendes, Santan de Souza, Albany Lourenco, Princia Fernandes Joao Pires, Rosendo, Tony Fernandes (Agassim), Luis D’Sa Paula Fernandes, Santan Souza, and Tony Fernandes.
A similar meeting was convened close to the Central Wembley Station in Wembley, where speakers also voiced their anger about derogatory statements against St Francis Xavier and sought action against those dividing communities on religious lines.
In her address, social worker Joyce de Souza said Goans had assembled in Wembley because their religious sentiments had been hurt.
“We should not use religion in politics,” said de Souza.
Goans staging a peaceful protest meeting at Cranford, Hounslow in West London.
A third meeting was convened under the banner of ‘Amcho Goencho Saib’ at Cranford, Hounslow in West London.
Speakers at the meeting also criticised those using religion as a political tool, and to divert public attention in Goa.
