Leaders and pub lic figures cutting across party lines have strongly condemned the statement made by Gautam Khattar against St Francis Xavier, describing it as offensive, divisive, and deeply hurt ful to the sentiments of Goans. There was broad agree ment that such remarks un dermine Goa’s long-stand ing tradition of communal harmony, where people of different faiths have coex isted with mutual respect for centuries. Several political lead ers, irrespective of affilia tion, demanded strict and immediate action against Khattar. They urged the police to take cognisance of the matter, register ap propriate offences, and ensure accountability for any attempt to create communal discord. Con cerns were also raised about the responsibility of event organisers in invit ing speakers and ensur ing that public platforms are not misused to spread inflammatory views.
Echoing these sentiments, social activists and commu nity leaders criticised the remarks, stressing that Goa’s identity is rooted in unity and respect for all religions. They called for firm action to send a clear message that attempts to incite division or insult revered figures like St Francis Xavier will not be tolerated. Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira said, “The attack on St Francis Xavier is an attack on every true Goan. Given that top functionaries were present on stage and possibly in the audience, police officials must also have been present. The Vasco Police should take suo motu cognisance, regis ter an offence for promoting communal disharmony, and act against the individual for insulting a religion and hurting religious sentiments. This appears to be a deliber ate attempt to create a com munal divide in Goa.” He further added, “St Francis Xavier is revered not only by Goans but by people across India and the world— by Catholics and non-Catho lics alike. This reflects Goa’s long tradition of respecting all religions, faiths, and be liefs. Such insults cannot be tolerated.”
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D’Costa said allowing Khattar into Goa was a mistake, noting that the State is known for its communal harmony. He also criticised the or ganisers for inviting someone with a history of making controversial remarks against saints. Goa Pradesh Congress Com mittee (GPCC) Vice President Sunil Kawthankar demanded that Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho be removed from the cabinet, arguing that a fair inves tigation would otherwise not be possible. Social activist Tanoj Adwalpalkar said Catholic MLAs should resign from the Pramod Sawant-led cab inet if they genuinely care about “Goencho Saib,” accusing them of political inconsistency. Another activist, Mariano Ferrao, remarked that Goa has long been a place of peaceful coexistence among religions, but individuals like Khattar disrupt this harmony with divisive statements. Asif Hussain, State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Goa, said that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right under the Constitution, it is not absolute. “It cannot be used as a licence to insult or demean religious figures or be liefs held sacred by any community. Such misuse reflects a disregard for the values of mutual respect and coexistence that define our plural istic society,” he said. Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Pratiksha Khalap said, “I strongly condemn the derogatory remarks made against St Francis Xavier at a recent function in Vasco. Such insensitive statements hurt public sentiments and threaten the communal harmony that Goa proudly stands for. We demand im mediate and strict action against those responsible, including Gau tam Khattar and all involved.” Former Goa Pradesh Mahila Con gress president Beena Naik said, “CM Pramod Sawant should see to it that those trying to disturb the peace of the State are banned from en tering Goa, as they had banned Dr Pramod Muthalik some years back. FIR should be filed against Gautam Khattar immedi ately & he should be banned from entering Goa.”
