Team Herald
MARGAO: Concerned citizens who participated in the protest in Margao, calling for the arrest of Subhash Velingkar over his defamatory remarks against Saint Francis Xavier, on Saturday condemned the police for filing FIRs against them. They questioned whether raising their voices for justice has now become a crime in the eyes of the government and wondered why no FIRs were registered against the BJP supporters who also participated in the protest.
They demanded the withdrawal of the FIRs filed against them, asserting that their intent is not to divide the community but to seek justice.
Adv Pratima Coutinho, along with several citizens, gathered near the Margao Municipal building on Saturday to condemn the police for registering FIRs against the protesters.
Speaking to reporters, Ashley Pineiro, a citizen of Valpoi, expressed that they have never seen such efforts to divide the Goan community along religious lines.
“There are attempts to harass the minority, which is a conspiracy planned by the government. A large number of people participated in the protest to seek justice and demand the arrest of Velingkar for creating disharmony among the Goans,” said Pinero.
He stated that this attempt aims to divert attention from the growing voices against land conversion in Goa.
“I urge the Chief Minister to immediately withdraw the FIRs filed against the protesters. There are individuals making unnecessary remarks on social media that disturb the community, yet the government fails to take action against them,” Pineiro said.
Adv Pratima Coutinho stated that they are present to condemn the government’s double standards in filing FIRs against the protesters selectively. “What crime have we committed to warrant an FIR? Is it not the Chief Minister’s fault for not acting to arrest Velingkar for his remarks about Saint Francis Xavier, especially when he had promised to do so. The protesters came from all communities,” she emphasized.
She mentioned that the protest was withdrawn in respect of the call from the Church authorities.
“We wouldn’t have taken to the streets if the government had filed an FIR against Velingkar. Therefore, the fault lies with the Chief Minister. Why selective targeting? Se veral BJP supporters also joined the protest, yet no FIRs were filed against them,” Pratima questioned.
She stated that the Chief Minister should not engage in unnecessarily harassing the people.