Former RSS sanghchalak and Hindu Raksha Maha Aghadi convenor Subhash Velingkar stoked controversy on Thursday by stating that St Francis cannot be called ‘Goencho Saib’ and saying it is a creation of the colonial Portuguese era. He pitched for Bhagwan Parshuram to be named ‘Goencho Saib’ and said that from May 3 his outfit will start a campaign titled “The Goa Files” for 20 days to create awareness and highlight the role of Bhagwan Parshuram as “protector” of Goa.
The foremost question that would come to anyone’s mind is, why is Velingkar trying to provoke religious sentiments by invoking a saint that has been revered across all religions and faiths for 400 years. History tells us that St Francis Xavier who was canonized on March 12, 1622, and known to be the greatest missionary in Christian history, had a strong bond with Goa. He is known, the world over, as Goencho Saib and lakhs of people from far and wide descend into Goa to pay their obeisance. Politicians of all hues, including chief ministers, their deputies and others make their presence felt by even attending the feast mass and partaking in celebrations.
Velingkar, being a citizen of this democratic country, has freedom of religion and expression, and whether his ‘preaching’ makes sense or relevant is another issue. However, what is unacceptable is Velingkar trying to misuse his freedom of expression to create a communal rift. Goa has been a State where harmony prevailed for decades, a place where all religions co-existed peacefully and respectfully, a place where Hindus, Catholics Muslims mingled in every festivity without being restrained by any religious barriers. A conscious attempt is being made to disrupt this environment.
It is obvious that the former RSS leader, who has fallen out of reckoning, is seeking political relevance by peddling hardline Hindutva and desperately trying to polarise the majority community. Negative publicity is still publicity and he knows that such a ploy could propel him to the centre stage of politics that he wants to be. He wanted politicos and the minority community to react and seethe with anger, and to a great extent, he has achieved his objective because he got the attention he was seeking.
Velingkar’s statement should have been junked and ignored because we don’t need someone of his calibre to beat his chest and tell us the history of saints and preach religion. We as Goans should not allow the political class to play with our religious sentiments, irrespective of which community one belongs to. We cannot allow our faith to be tested by such forsaken and eccentric politicos who have a dubious track record. Statements on religion such as these, especially from politicos who have a history of propagating morally reprehensible agendas must be ignored because they have no right to preach religion. We are failing here because we are yet to learn to walk away from toxic political leaders.
It would have been a huge setback if Goans fall for such cheap divisive tactics. Velingkar’s pitch has no ‘seconder’ from any quarter, and this is a testimony of the religious harmony in Goa. Let us not allow politicos to divide us on the basis of religion and saints. Let peace and harmony prevail.
