PANAJI
Additional Sessions Judge – I Bosco Roberts observed that former RSS chief Subhash Velingkar's controversial remarks about the relics of St Francis Xavier were deliberate to incite communal tension.
In its order dismissing the anticipatory bail application, the Court also noted that Velingkar had admitted to making the statements attributed to him.
“The manner in which the applicant (Velingkar) has referred to the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier as a “dead body,” whose identity needed to be established from DNA analysis based purely on a conspiracy theory in a neighbouring country, without factual basis, in such a statement. Going by his track record of making statements claiming that St Francis Xavier was not “Goencho Saib", clearly shows his deliberate intention to make malicious statements aimed at provoking religious disharmony and stoking communal tensions in the State,” the Judge observed.
The judge also stated it was an undisputed fact, at this stage, that the saint is revered not just among the Roman Catholic community in Goa but also amongst the various communities living in harmony in Goa as well as outside.
“The decennial exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier, over the years, has drawn a myriad of believers, who come with faith to venerate the relics from all over the world and not only from Goa or India or Sri Lanka. Under such circumstances, the applicant who claims to be a historian, a teacher and undisputedly a member of the RSS and a political party Goa Suraksha Manch and, as such a responsible citizen, ought to have known the consequences of his statements made in public,” the Court further noted.
The Judge, while dismissing his plea, stated that granting bail would embolden his actions, particularly given his failure to comply with police notices for investigation.
“The sum and substance of the allegations against the applicant warranted the registration of the FIR under Section 299 BNS against him. He has amply demonstrated his tendency to make such speeches even in the past. Hence, if granted anticipatory bail for the asking, l find that the applicant is likely to be emboldened in his actions,” the Judge said.
The Court has further directed the Bicholim police to adhere to legal procedures in handling the case and follow the process laid down by the Supreme Court if they find it necessary to arrest Velingkar.
