MAPUSA
In a politically charged statement that has raised eyebrows across Goa, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho declared that he identifies more with the Hindu faith than with his own religion, Christianity.
Speaking at a BJP event in Dabolim, Godinho revealed that his personal beliefs and roots were closely aligned with Hinduism, which he said was “dear to his heart.”
His remark, made during the announcement of the BJP mandal president for Dabolim, was met with applause from party workers, but it has ignited a firestorm of controversy, especially regarding the State’s delicate communal balance.
"I consider and am proud that I am more Hindu than my own religion because for me it is something dear to my heart. My roots indicate that I am Hindu; only afterwards we converted… this is my belief. You cannot change that," Godinho said.
The statement, though perhaps sincere in his personal context, raises significant questions about the nature of political identity, religious loyalty and inclusivity in Goa’s charged political landscape.
Godinho, a long-time representative of the Dabolim constituency and a key figure in the BJP, has long been known for his strong ties to the Hindu community.
His frequent participation in Hindu rituals and visits to temples has only reinforced his alignment with the faith.
However, his recent comments have drawn uncomfortable parallels to a similar controversy almost a decade ago, when the late Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, another prominent BJP leader, referred to himself as a “Christian Hindu.”
D’Souza was forced to apologize after backlash from the minority community, highlighting the sensitivity of such remarks in a State where religious identities are deeply entrenched.
Godinho’s statement, which positions him as more "Hindu" than "Christian," could be viewed as a strategic political move to solidify his position within the ruling party and its predominantly Hindu base.
His support for the BJP, which has increasingly attracted Hindu voters, is now being seen through the lens of cultural assimilation, where minority leaders appear to downplay their religious identity in favour of aligning with the majority community.
This raises a troubling question: Is Godinho’s declaration a genuine reflection of his beliefs, or is it a calculated political move to maintain his relevance and position within the BJP?
Political analysts have already begun to question the minister’s shifting loyalties.
Trajon D'Mello, a political analyst, remarked, “The statement of Mauvin that he is more a Hindu than a Christian is only to satisfy his Hindu bosses to remain in power, out of fear that he could be dropped in a reshuffle. While he was in Congress, he claimed that he had Congress blood flowing in him. This has been his way of managing to remain in power.”
D'Mello’s critique suggests that Godinho’s comment might not be about personal belief at all, but rather about political survival in a volatile, power-driven environment.
This incident brings to the forefront the delicate balancing act faced by minority leaders in Goa.
For many years, Goa’s political spectrum has been dominated by a complex interplay of religious identities, where the minority Christian community has traditionally played a crucial role in shaping the State’s political landscape. However, the rise of the BJP and its increasing focus on consolidating the Hindu vote has forced minority leaders, including those from the Christian community, to recalibrate their political strategies.
Many have been seen frequenting temples and aligning themselves more overtly with Hindu traditions, as they seek to ensure their place within the party’s majority-dominated hierarchy.
Godinho’s remarks are thus part of a broader trend of minority leaders making concessions to the majority vote bank. But the question remains: how much of this shift is driven by genuine belief, and how much is motivated by the pragmatic need to remain politically viable?
While Godinho defended his remarks as a reflection of personal belief, the fallout suggests that such statements are not taken at face value by voters. Instead, they are seen as part of a larger narrative of political survival, one that comes at the cost of a community’s cultural identity.
This incident may well be a turning point in Goa’s politics, where the lines between personal faith and political identity are increasingly blurred.
Whether Godinho’s remarks will endear him to voters or damage his standing within the Christian community remains to be seen.
