Demonstrators lodge complaint at Margao police station, but receive no immediate action; CM criticised for delay; frustration leads to roadblocks in city, disrupting traffic
Protesters block the city road in Margao demanding FIR against Subhash Velingkar as the police personnel look on.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Tension prevailed in Margao on Friday evening after hundreds of protesters hit the streets to demand FIR against Subhash Velingkar for his remarks on the DNA of St Francis Xavier.
They first assembled at the Margao police station to lodge a complaint against Velingkar and to demand FIR against him. With no action forthcoming from the Margao police and the men-in-uniform insisting that they have forwarded the complaint to the Bicholim police station for action, the protesters blocked the main city road near the Margao Post Office.
Attempts by the police led by district police chief, SP Sunita Sawant and DySP Santosh Desai to persuade the protesters to vacate the road ended in vain. The protesters led by Pratima Coutinho, Fidol, Velim MLA Cruz Silva and hundred others told the police point blank that they will not leave till FIR is registered against Velingkar.
At one point, SP Sunita Sawant tried to convince the protesters that the Margao police have already forwarded the complaint to the Bicholim police station. The protesters, however, insisted on a FIR against Velingkar.
The protesters later blocked the road near the Municipal garden on the Marliz cafe side, blocking all traffic entering the city, forcing the police to divert the traffic to other routes.
The entrance to the city near the Eagle showroom, at the Old Collectorate building was later blocked by the protesters as they insisted FIR against Subhash Velingkar. It was only at around 8.20 pm that the protesters lifted the blockade, but headed to the Margao police station, where they continued to agitate with the one point demand of FIR against Velingkar.
By then, it became apparent that the top police brass had decided to register the FIR as senior police officials told the protesters that the FIR against Velingkar will be registered within 45 minutes.
Speakers directed their ire at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, squarely blaming him for the delay in registering FIR against Velingkar. They pointed out that the Goa Police was quick to register FIR against Fr Bolmax Pereira and in other incidents, but blamed the government for dragging its feet to register FIR against Velinkgar because of vested interests.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva pointed out that the government has not initiated action in the matter despite many complaints lodged against Velingkar at various police stations. “It’s now four days since Velingkar had hurt the sentiments of the people of Goa, but this insensitive government is yet to initiate action,” Cruz lamented.
Former Margao chairperson Savio Coutinho said the government’s delay in registering FIR against Velingkar is a ploy to divide the people of Goa. The protesters repeatedly questioned over the absence of MLAs to demand registration of FIR against Velingkar.
Aam Aadmi Party chief Amit Palekar, Congress leaders Savio D’Silva, Moreno Rebello and hundreds of citizens from across Salcete and outside were seen at the Margao police station till late Friday evening.
Ex-DyCM Ajgaonkar joins protest, warns against dividing Goa on religious lines
MARGAO: Former deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Ajgaonkar joined the protesters demanding FIR against Subhash Velingkar for a brief moment, warning that the people of Goa will not keep quite if anyone tries to divide Goans on religious lines.
Making a common cause with the agitators demanding FIR against Velingkar, Ajgaonkar said the statement made by Velingkar has hurt the sentiments of the people of Goa. “The statement is intended to divide the people of Goa,” he said, while urging the government to take serious action by lodging FIR in the case. “We cannot allow our culture and heritage to be disturbed by people like Velingkar. We have to come together as Goans. We will not keep quite if anyone tries to divide the people,” he warned.
Minister confident govt will act on Velingkar’s remarks
MARGAO: Asserting that the government is not quite over the remarks made by Subhash Velingkar, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira has exuded confident that the government will act on the complaints lodged against Velingkar.
Saying it is unfortunate that Velingkar has asked for DNA of St Francis Xavier, Sequeira said he has no idea what has provoked Velingkar to make the statement. “It is unfortunate that Velingkar has made the statement. I hold him in high esteem. I do not know what has provoked him to make the statement. Otherwise, he is a thorough gentleman,” he said.
He added: “I agree that some irritant must be there that has provoked Velingkar to make the statement. What he would achieve with the DNA test, it is his way of assaying something. Is he trying to study the DNA and St Francis Xavier’s parentage?”
Govt’s role in fostering religious divide condemned
MARGAO: Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai criticised the BJP government’s inaction and alleged collusion with divisive elements, accusing them of diverting attention from the state’s ongoing exploitation.
He condemned the government’s tactics of creating Hindu-Muslim and Hindu-Christian divisions to distract from real issues, stating, “This government’s DNA is clear—promote division while selling off Goa.”
Sardesai emphasised that religious tolerance, a cornerstone of Goa’s identity, is being undermined for political gain. He urged Goans to stay united and resist the divisive agenda, saying, “Religious intolerance is a disease from outside Goa, and we cannot allow it to spread.” He stressed the importance of respecting local customs and traditions, adding that communal harmony is essential for Goa’s economic and social prosperity.
Citing the longstanding presence of the Muslim community in Goa and the historical significance of events like the Julus, Sardesai called out the government’s hypocrisy. He pointed to leaders like Digambar Kamat, who have supported these traditions in the past. Sardesai also highlighted Goa’s inclusive culture, which has embraced festivals like Chhath Puja and Durga Puja, and criticized right-wing elements for attacking religious customs such as the burkha or skullcap. He concluded by reaffirming the need for unity in the face of divisive politics.
