Police complaints filed across police stations in the State over inflammatory comments against St Francis Xavier
Velim MLA Cruz Silva and citizens from Velim Constituency hand over a complaint to Cuncolim police station in-charge, PI Diogo Gracias, demanding an FIR against Subhash Velinkgar.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
As agitated people lodged a host of complaints against Subhash Velingkar at a number of police stations over his remarks to conduct a DNA test on the relics of St Francis Xavier, a lady accompanying a delegation of people from Velim Constituency to the Cuncolim police station on Thursday posed a pertinent question to Velingkar -- why do you want to destroy the communal peace and amity amongst the people of Goa by making such statements?
The woman further continued: “Please don’t hurt us. Today, we are hurt, but we want peace for ourselves, our children and this land. For God’s sake please leave us alone.”
Velim MLA Cruz Silva, who was leading the delegation later submitted a memorandum to the Cuncolim police station in-charge, PI Diogo Gracias demanding FIR against Subhash Velingkar.
Silva and members of the delegation told the PI that they want the police to act within 24 hours failing which they will chalk out their future course of action.
In the complaint, the Velim MLA said the extremely disturbing and provocative statement made by Subhash Velingkar has deeply hurt the sentiments of a large section of the Goan community, particularly the Christian population, who revere St Francis Xavier as a religious and cultural icon.
“Subhash Velingkar has made derogatory and inflammatory remarks against St Francis Xavier, which are not only factually incorrect but are clearly intended to incite communal disharmony and disturb the peace in Goa. His statements, aimed at maligning the image of St Francis Xavier, have caused widespread outrage and are perceived as an attack on the religious sentiments of Christians in Goa,” the complaint stated, while urging the Police to register a FIR against Velingkar and take action to prevent further damage to the social and religious fabric of Goa.
Raia Panchayat lodges police complaint
The Raia Village Panchayat has lodged a complaint with the Maina Curtorim Police demanding an FIR against Subhash Velingkar for his statement against St Francis Xavier.
In another complaint lodged at the Margao police station, Warren Alemao has urged the police to register an FIR against Subhash Velingkar.
In the complaint lodged at the Maina Curtorim police station, Raia Sarapnch Peter Quadros said, the statement made by Subhash Velingkar was aimed at disturbing communal harmony. "The statement is an insult to St Francis Xavier and all the Goans respecting St Francis Xavier," the complaint added.
“People of various communities and religions are living peacefully and in communal harmony and without any discrimination and by making such statement he is trying to create communal conflicts within the people of Goa,” the complaint stated.
