PANJIM: The Opposition Congress Party on Tuesday demanded immediate withdrawal of the order appointing controversial Adv Prashant Kumar Umrao from Uttar Pradesh as one of the standing counsel members to represent Goa in Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar alleged that Adv Umrao was a hate-monger and fake news peddler from Uttar Pradesh.
Chodankar said, “We are extremely shocked and disturbed by one of these appointments. An advocate from Uttar Pradesh by the name of Prashant Kumar Umrao is one of those appointed. He has been a hate monger, misogynist bigot and a serial fake news peddler for the longest time. He has been using his social media to spew communal venom against the Christian and Muslim communities. He has said some of the most disgusting things. Fake news busting portals like AltNews have also done long articles on him on his history of fake news.”
Chodankar further said, “Our Goa has been known for its secular, liberal and progressive values. All Goans live in communal harmony and we have no place for such extremism in our peaceful State. Being represented by such a person and that too before the highest court of the land with such vile and communal mindset, is an insult to the people of Goa.”
Chodankar charged that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is making a mockery of our culture and values by appointing Adv Umrao as a legal representative of the State. Goans will be forced to pay salary of a person who does not represent Goan values at all, which is a blatant disrespect, he said, demanding immediate withdrawal of the order.
Besides, Adv Umrao, the State government also appointed advocates Abhay Anturkar and Shirin Khajuria as standing counsel taking the total number of standing counsels to 11, to defend the interest of Goa, in Supreme Court, NGT and all other courts and tribunals.
