TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: In a bid to douse the flames around Cooperation Minister Pandurang Deepak Dhavalikar’s remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will develop India into a Hindu nation, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza ignited a fresh controversy by declaring, “India is a Hindu nation and one does not have to create India into a Hindu nation. India was and is a Hindu nation. There is no doubt about this.”
After the session concluded for the day, D’Souza told reporters outside the house, “All Indians in Hindustan are Hindus and I am a Christian Hindu. His (Dhavalikar’s) statement is misunderstood by somebody and misinterpreted. India is a democratic and free country and everyone has the right to express their views.”
Earlier, at the beginning of the day’s session, the opposition benches walked out of the Goa legislative assembly Friday, protesting cabinet minister Dhavalikar’s remark and Speaker Rajendra Arlekar’s refusal to allow a discussion or opportunity for the minister to clarify during Question Hour.
When the house assembled for the day, Opposition Leader Pratapsing Rane asked Speaker Rajendra Arlekar for a clarification from Dhavalikar over his controversial statement.
Soon Curtorim legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and independent MLA Vijai Sardesai echoed the same demand for a discussion. “…What has happened to democracy…. !” Reginaldo was heard shouting while Sardesai cited ‘Constitution of India’ as both protested the minister’s remark made on the floor of the house during a congratulatory motion on Thursday.
The speaker assured the protesting MLAs that the clarification will be issued after the ‘Question Hour’ but the protest continued and the three MLAs supported by other Congress legislators staged a walk out.
“Did I say no? I said the matter will be discussed after the question hour,” Arlekar said refusing to allow the discussion during the Question Hour. He even asked Reginaldo to get back to his seat which the latter refused to heed to after which the speaker asked him to ‘go out’ as he was disturbing the proceedings.
“This is a shame for the state. We have our rights,” Reginaldo said before walking out of the house.
Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, MLAs Atanasio Monserrate, Jennifer Monserrate, Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar also walked out.
In the din, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza was heard saying, “People have already thrown them out. What more they need ?”
Speaking outside the opposition lobby, Opposition Leader Rane said that a minister takes the oath to abide by the Indian Constitution, which Dhavlikar has failed to do so. “The preamble of the Constitution says that India is a secular and democratic nation. The minister should clarify what he meant when he said that India will be a Hindu nation,” he said.
“We are protesting because the speaker did not allow the minister to clarify. Chief Minister (Manohar Parrikar) was also quiet on the entire issue. This is clear attempt to divide the communities,” Rane further said.
After the session concluded for the day, the deputy chief minister defended his colleague saying Indian is already a Hindu nation and one does not have to create Indian into a Hindu nation.
Former Chief Minister Kamat too reiterated that the speaker did not allow the discussion in the house over their demands for a clarification from the minister. Independent MLA Naresh Sawal went on to add that ‘India is not Pakistan’ as he also rendered his support to Dhavlikar.
Fatorda legislator Sardesai alleged that this was an attempt to divert the attention of India from various issues such as price rise, as five states will go to polls soon.
“This is a design and method created for madness. The BJP is trying to divert from various promises they have failed to accomplish,” he said.
quoteroom
Pratapsing Rane: The preamble of the Constitution says that India is secular and democratic nation. The minister should clarify what he meant when he said that India will be Hindu Nation.
Vijai Sardesai: What Francis D’Souza said today is totally unconstitutional and irresponsible. There appears to be a method behind the madness. It is not without reason that successive statements with regularity have emanated from BJP ministers and its allies meant to disturb the age old secular, tolerant fabric of Goa.
Reginaldo Lourenco: The chief minister is using the Dhavlikars to talk against the Constitution of India. By saying they want to make India a Hindu Rashtra, they are talking against the Constitution, which guarantees freedom to practice religion.
