VASCO: Fr Bolmax Pereira was on Friday booked over a remark on Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that he made during a sermon.
He was charged under provisions of Indian Penal Code for hurting religious sentiments, the police said. The case was filed at 10 pm, officials said.
The officials said the case has been lodged at Vasco Police Station, though complaints were received in other police stations as well, including Cuncolim and Canacona.
Earlier, Fr Pereira had tendered an apology but had added that his statement on the 17th century king was taken ‘out of context and misinterpreted’.
Despite his apology, the Bajrang Dal sought his arrest, while Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said action would be taken against him as per law.
A video of the priest, attached to a church at Chicalim near Vasco, went viral recently in which he said that “Chhatrapati Shivaji cannot be considered as a God”.
Several right-wing organisations in the State, including Bajrang Dal, condemned his remark.
