Goan Activist Uday Bhembre Faces Police Inaction After Threats from Bajrang Dal, Sparks Outrage and Rally for Free Speech

Team Herald

MARGAO: Three days after former MLA and Opinion Poll activist Adv Uday Bhembre lodged a written complaint at the Fatorda police station following the threats, humiliation and warnings by Bajrang Dal men who landed up at his doorstep late on Friday, the police are yet to register

an FIR.

The police inaction has been slammed by citizens, as the treatment of Bhembre has become a rallying call for supporters of free speech, who gathered at a massive rally in Margao on Sunday. Multiple activists that O Heraldo spoke to have reiterated that intimidation and threats are not part of Goan culture.

On Monday, police initiated a preliminary investigation and began recording statements. According to available information, the Fatorda police have taken statements from two individuals and collected a pen drive containing evidence related to the incident, which occurred on Friday night.

When contacted, Bhembre confirmed that the police had acknowledged his complaint and begun an initial inquiry. He noted that statements had been recorded and the pen drive taken as evidence, but no FIR had been filed.

Senior advocate Cleofato Almeida Coutinho emphasised that this case warrants an FIR. "It is a clear case for registering an offence against the culprits. The police must determine whether it is a bailable or non-bailable offence, but they are obligated to register the case. A group gathering outside someone's residence at night, engaging in trespassing, abuse and forming an unlawful assembly, constitutes a serious offence. Moreover, video evidence is available, leaving little room for further investigation," he stated.

Bhembre who had initially decided to not go to the police changed his mind a day after the incident. He had said, “I have realised it is not a question of my safety alone. Today if this happened to me, it can happen to anyone else, and that has to be stopped. The reason for filing this complaint is to ensure that the government takes action and also, the matter is on record. Tomorrow, the government can’t look the other way, saying that no one came to them with a complaint, which is why they didn’t act.” Bhembre filed a written complaint against Bajrang Dal activists led by Viraj Dessai of Cuncolim.

Meanwhile, the Akhil Gomantak Kshatriya Maratha Samaj Sanghatana has announced a dharna on Tuesday, March 4, at 5:30 pm at the Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial. The protest is in response to what they claim is a ‘derogatory’ video by Bhembre about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.