l I am coming to Goa for the Hindu convention l There was no communal tension during my previous visits l Catholic Association of Goa asks Parrikar to ban Muthalik’s entry to Goa
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM/BELGAUM: He may be an anathema to large number of Goans cutting across religious lines, but that will not stop the controversial Sri Ram Sene leader Pramod Muthalik from coming to Goa for the six-day national Hindu convention organised by the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.
“I have attended the convention in Goa three times earlier, but was there any communal tension or any sort of ethnic disturbance because of my visit,” he told Herald, in Belgaum
Speaking to Herald, Mutalik also reaffirmed that he would be in Goa for the six-day convention .
“Though a large number of Hindus in Goa have welcomed my visit, the present protests to seek a ban on my
Continued on pg 11
entry to the state are more politically motivated and should not be taken seriously.”
“Main convention ko zaroor aa rahaa hun, mere aane ke baad hi bolunga (I am surely coming for the convention and I will disclose everything only during my visit to Goa),” he said.
Escalating the issue, the Catholic association of Goa (CAG) has urged Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to ban entry of the controversial right wing leader to avoid any communal tension.
CAG has appealed to organizers of the convention- Hindu Janjagruti Samiti to withdraw the invitation issued to Muthalik, who according to them is known for spreading religious and social discontent.
CAG spokesperson Brigadier Ian da Costa has said that Muthalik’s plan to open branches of Sri Ram Sene in Goa should be “countered with all the means at our disposal.” “Muthalik of Karnataka is coming again to our peaceful Goa. Here Goans of all communities live in brotherhood and harmony and we have no problems between us,” he said, adding that Muthalik and his group have attacked Christian places of worship and other sister organisations, causing much anxiety, tension, hurt, damage and inter communal rivalry.
“Why allow a potential trouble maker and rabble rouser to enter our peaceful state of Goa and create tension?’ he questioned appealing to the chief minister to take some strong action against his entry.
On Wednesday, the opposition Congress had also demanded a ban on Muthalik’s entry threatening to go the legal way .
However, sources say that the government is trying to keep the whole issue low key and trying back channel methods to see if they can stop him from coming to the state. If that cannot be done, the government plans to ensure that there is no controversy created during his presence in the state.
Why allow a potential trouble maker and rabble rouser to enter our peaceful State of Goa and create tension
– Catholic Association of Goa
