Former Goa unit RSS chief Subhash Velingkar’s remarks against Saint Francis Xavier, who is revered as the patron saint of Goa, has caused uproar in the State. Rightly so.
While former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao has filed a police complaint demanding Velingkar’s arrest, the Opposition parties in the state have condemned his statements for allegedly attempting to disrupt communal harmony.
Velingkar had called for a “DNA test” of the relics of St Francis Xavier. He said the saint could not be called “Goencho Saib” (Protector of Goa).
Velingkar was removed from the Sangh in 2016 after he rebelled and had disagreements with the BJP government’s medium of instruction policy in elementary education. In 2022, Velingkar had said that St Francis Xavier cannot be called “Goencho Saib” and a campaign titled ‘The Goa Files’ would be launched to create awareness that Lord Parshuram is the “Goencho Saib”.
St Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, arrived in Goa, then a Portuguese colony, in 1542. He died in 1552 on Sancian Island, off the coast of Guangdong province in China. His relics are enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.
The people of Goa began to revere St Francis Xavier (SFX) as Goencho Saib after Tavora prayed to the saint to save Goa from Sambhaji. The Moghuls invaded Sambhaji's kingdom, forcing him to stop his conquest and thus saving Goa. The title of Goencho Saib is not an official title given by the Church or government, but reflects the faith and devotion of the people. Goans and other faithful believe in the saint and continue to pray to him.
There was no need to tinker with this profound faith of people, who revere SFX across all faiths. Such provocative statements are unwarranted. People of all faiths – Hindus, Muslims and Christians – have been living peacefully in Goa, but people like him are out to destroy the age-old communal harmony.
Such actions tend to vitiate the atmosphere. The comment comes at a time when the government is under fire from the people over the issue of land conversion plaguing the State. Velingkar has clearly miscalculated his political options.
People of all faiths – Hindus, Muslims and Christians – have been living peacefully in Goa, but comments like this destroy the age-old communal harmony.
Goa has been known for its communal harmony. But in recent times, there have been incidents that have caused communal discord in the State.
According to media reports, police records reveal that of the total cases of communal disputes, fights and riots between 2019 and 2023, the highest five cases were registered in 2021 of which one still remains undetected.
The people of Goa must not fall prey to divisive games that are being played by the powers to be. Any attempts to create communal divide in the State should be nipped in the bud by the people. In Goa, all communities have stayed together and communal harmony has been the uniqueness of this State. The peace wreckers should be allowed to succeed.
There has been a spurt in communal flareups across the country since the Modi government came to power in 2014. But the strong unity amongst Goans ensured peace in the coastal State.
But the politicians like Velingkar, who are desperate to make themselves politically relevant after getting sidelined, are indulging in divisive politics as a last resort to get into limelight to win elections.
It is unfortunate that such politicians are ready to stoke communal passions to keep the pot of political ambitions boiling. But the strong reactions by the people of Goa against Velingkar shows that the Goans are different. They will not take things lying down.
The message is clear. We are one and no politician or spiritual leader can dare to disrupt the communal harmony.