PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said communal hate speeches by members of one religion on matters and beliefs of another will be dealt with sternly henceforth and urged everyone to refrain from such acts.
"Those who make statements which hurt the other's religious sentiments will be dealt with strictly by the government," Sawant said.
He was speaking to the media during his post Cabinet meeting press conference where PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral was also present.
Sawant's statement came in response to a journalist raising the issue of videos of inter-religious criticism going viral on social media.
"No one should criticize anyone's religion. It is up to each one to choose which god one should believe in and have faith," Sawant said.
So Hindus or Christians should not criticize each other's religions at all. If anyone tries to speak in this manner or hurts religious sentiments, the government will not stay silent. Strict action will be taken against such people," Sawant said.
Cabral said, Goans are tolerant and people of all castes and religions celebrate each other's feasts and festivals.
"It is wrong to disturb this religious tolerance in Goa by making statements critical of each other's religions," Cabral said, adding that some people have even been arrested for such behavior in the past.
Cabral said, he fully supports the stand taken by the Chief Minister and stressed that henceforth it will not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, over the past several weeks, tensions have been witnessed between the two major religious communities of the State -- Hindu and Christian -- over certain objectionable statements made by both sides.
There is also concern expressed in some quarters over the greater frequency with which such incidents of individuals from one community criticising the beliefs of the other are taking place.
