Political leaders across party lines in Goa on Sunday strongly con demned alleged derogatory remarks made against St. Francis Xavier, popularly revered as “Goemcho Saib,” during a function in Vasco, triggering widespread outrage and calls for legal action. Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai demanded the immediate registration of a First Informa tion Report (FIR) against Gautam Khattar, who is accused of referring to the saint as a “terrorist.” Sarde saiurged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to direct the Goa Police to take cog nisance of the matter and initiate strict action with out delay. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao also con demned the remarks, call ing them “malicious and deeply offensive,” and said they had hurt the religious sentiments of Goans. Echoing similar con cerns, Goa Pradesh Con gress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar said the remarks posed a se rious threat to the State’s long-standing communal harmony.
Aam Aadmi Party Goa President Valmiki Naik has written to the Director General of Police Alok Ku mar demanding immediate suo moto action against Gautam Khattar for mak ing derogatory remarks on Goencho Saib, St. Francis Xavier. Valmiki Naik stated that the comments made in the presence of BJP Min ister Mauvin Godinho and MLA Krishna Salkar, have deeply hurt the sentiments of the Christian communi ty in Goa. The comment is a deliberate and desperate attempt to ignite commu nal disharmony, warning that such statements could incite communal tensions and disrupt harmony. The controversy stems from a function organised in Vasco as part of Par shuram Jayanti celebra tions. A video of Gautam Khattar, founder of the Sa natan Mahasangh, address ing the gathering on Sat urday evening went viral, sparking the row. The event was reportedly attended by several political figures, including State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs. In response to the back lash, organisers held a press conference, describing the remarks as “unfortunate.” Police said a complaint has been lodged at Vasco police station by Congress leader Peter D’Souza, alleging that Khattar deliberately hurt religious sentiments. Con gress MLA Altone D’Costa demanded Khattar’s im mediate arrest, stating that the remarks were capable of disturbing communal harmony in Goa. He also called for action against the organisers of the event, which was held under the banner of Sanatan Dharma Raksha Samiti, Mormugao, to mark Bhagwan Par shuram Janmotsav.
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Meanwhile, Advocate Pratima Betsy Coutinho has called for a public gathering at Margao Police Station on April 20 at 11:30 am to file a formal complaint against Khattar. She described the remarks as an attack on the faith and identity of Goans and urged people to unite in protest.
