TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: The minority cell of the Congress party on Saturday slammed Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for trying to give Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi a clean chit on the Gujarat riots.
Addressing the media, Congress minority cell Chairman Saifullah Khan appealed to the Chief Minister not to bat for Modi in the BJP hierarchy. “The minorities in Goa are both saddened and shocked that Parrikar is openly supporting the Gujarat CM. Goa has proved lucky for everyone, but Parrikar should realise that he is supporting a person who is accused for his hand in the Gujarat riots,” Khan said.
“Goa is a land of peace and communal harmony. All people, including Hindus, Christians and Muslims have lived peacefully over the years. This atmosphere of communal amity and peace should not be allowed to be disturbed,” he said, while saying that what has happened in Gujarat should not be repeated in a peaceful state like Goa.
He said the Chief Minister should realise that his government has five-six MLAs from the minority community, adding that Parrikar’s decision to get Modi in Goa should not result in misunderstanding and division amongst Goans.
When a journalist pointed out that Muslims in Gujarat have voted for the BJP in the Assembly polls, Khan said the minorities in Gujarat might have voted for the BJP out of fear post-Godhra riots. “One should not judge by the election results. The minorities are living in fear in Gujarat. This fear might have forced them to vote for the BJP,” he added.
