PANJIM: Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the High Court or the Supreme Court into the desecration of crosses in Goa.
The fact-finding committee of CSJP discarded the theory of the police that Francis Pereira has desecrated the numerous crosses and graves. Contrary to the statement of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had said that Pereira began destroying the crosses breaking down the cross in his house, the fact finding committee said that the family informed that no crosses within the home were destroyed.
Fr Savio Fernandes said, “The family of Francis Pereira say that he is a family man. He has never destroyed the altar and statues that are there in their homes. Also they have never spoken that he is a violent person but he is very much a family man and hard worker, down to earth and likes to work hard.”
During their parallel investigation into the desecration of crosses, the team met family members of accused Pereira as well as politicians, representatives of NGOs and temple priests.
Putting forth three demands, Irfan Engineer who is Convenor of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) and member of the fact finding team said, “Police has demonstrated its incompetence to investigate the desecration of crosses, we therefore demand that an SIT be formed under the supervision of the High Court or the Supreme Court.”
The committee has further demanded that action be taken against those who made hate speeches. “We are also calling upon the government to perform its constitutional duty and not hide behind the freedom of speech. The freedom of speech does not mean incitement of offences. We want the government of Goa to book all those who have made hate speeches in the past two years”, Engineer added.
The committee has further asserted the role of the Sanatan Sanstha in creating an atmosphere against the minorities and Engineer said, “All secular minded people are worried that certain communal forces are raising their heads. Hindu Jagruti Conclave was held in Goa and most aggressive and hate speeches were made… Right wing forces are trying to damage the secular fabric of Goa, the cultural diversity and composite culture of Goa.”
The fact finding team consisted of Fr Savio Fernandes representing the CSJP, social activists Ranjan Solomon and Roselle Solomon, Irfan Engineer and Neha Dabhade both representing CSSS. They visited the sites of all the crosses, graves and niches desecrated or destroyed in June and July this year and also met citizens’ representatives.
