Team Herald
MARGAO: A threatening incident occurred in Margao late on Friday, as a group of 20 to 25 members of Bajrang Dal, led by State Convener Viraj Dessai, approached the residence of Uday Bhembre, a former MLA and writer. They demanded an explanation regarding his views on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Despite the intimidation, the octogenarian remained resolute, standing firm as his family and friends quickly gathered to confront the group, which eventually dispersed after issuing a series of threats.
Prior to their departure, the group compelled the elderly couple to exit their home, subjecting them to threats, ridicule, and questioning in an effort to intimidate one of Goa’s most esteemed figures, who was instrumental in the state’s historic Opinion Poll.
Bhembre, also a former journalist, recently made a video reacting to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s remarks praising and detailing Chhatrapati Shivaji’s contributions to Goa’s history. The group claimed that the sentiments of the Hindu community and followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji were hurt by Bhembre’s remarks.
Led by Dessai, the group demanded to know why he was making such videos and asserted that he was not an authority figure to speak on Chhatrapati Shivaji or Maratha history.
They also accused him of downplaying the atrocities committed by Portuguese rulers during the colonial era.
While Bhembre listened to their criticism and taunts, his wife attempted to reason with them, stating that they did not have to agree with his views but that his opinions were not intended to offend any religion, as they were making it out to be.
Meanwhile, alert citizens of Margao rushed to Bhembre’s residence after learning of the incident. Bhembre’s family members also arrived at the scene.
These citizens stood between Bhembre and the group, directly engaging with Dessai and his associates. They questioned the group’s decision to arrive at the home of an 86-year-old man after 9 pm with such a large group and asked them to come at a more appropriate time with a smaller group, preferably after informing Bhembre in advance. The citizens urged the group to leave the premises and return the next day if they wished to continue the dialogue. They also defended Bhembre’s background and contributions. After some more back and forth between the two groups, the crowd dispersed. The Bajrang Dal men also burned Bhembre’s effigy.
Speaking to the media later, Bhembre, who was surrounded by friends, family and well-wishers who had grown in number outside his residence, said, “I was sitting down for dinner when I heard the doorbell ring. When I went to answer it, one person said he had come to talk about a case. As I don’t practice law now, and told him to come inside and speak. He said there were others with him too, and I said, ‘Bring them inside as well.’ Then he said, ‘No, you come out of the gate and talk to us, as more are gathered there,’” Bhembre recounted.
“As I started to go out, I could see that a crowd had gathered and realised they had some intention of asking me to come out of my gate to talk to them. So I said, ‘I will stand here only’ (outside the main door of his house) and ‘I’ll speak to you all from here,’” he added.
“More than a two-way discussion, it was a ‘bhaashan’ (lecture). Two of them were lecturing me over my comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji. They did not give me space or time to respond, and in such discussions, one should be allowed to respond,” he explained further.
“They said I have no right to even mention Chhatrapati Shivaji’s name. Now, I am a citizen of India, and under the Constitution, I know my rights. I also consider Shivaji a hero. They, or no one else, can tell me whether I have the right to speak on Shivaji or not. But anyway, I could not speak much to them. Their heads seemed to be filled with what they wanted to question me about. They left afterward,” Bhembre added.
He also countered some of the points made by the Bajrang Dal group.
“They think I took out my anger on the Chief Minister by making that video. I told them that I have made many such videos on history and have even written books on the same. I was presenting history, and there was a reference to the CM as he is the one who spoke on this topic. Had there been anyone else, I would have mentioned that person’s name too,” Bhembre explained.
“I wanted to tell them that I have also written books about the Cuncolim freedom struggle and the history they were talking about. They were asking me why I don’t speak against the Portuguese or on other religions. Again, I write about history and present facts. Whether it is right or wrong, I present the facts as they are, and that is all I have done. I have nothing personal against the Chief Minister and never made it out to be such a case,” Bhembre added.
Bhembre expressed strong gratitude for the late-night show of support at his residence. He added that this incident would not change his way of thinking and reiterated that he felt he had done nothing wrong.