the goan I network
MARGAO
Condemning the utterances, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai warned that law breakers will be dealt with firmly, asserting that VHP leaders will meet a similar fate as that of Sri Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik, who has been banned from entering the State.
The GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro slammed the VHP statement and said it was BJP which was pushing forward its Hindutva agenda. VHP is propagating ignorance that cow slaughter is prevalent in Goa. However, members of the ruling coalition drew a fine line and sought to steer BJP away from controversy.
Coming to the defence of the government was Curchorem legislator Nilesh Cabral, MGP leader and Tourism Minister Manohar “Babu” Ajgaonkar and Minister of Revenue and independent MLA Rohan Khaunte.
The Goa Forward Party has also warned that party cadres, more particularly the Goan Hindus, will not remain quite, saying that Goemkars have the capability to face anyone.
Addressing the media, Sardesai said the VHP leaders have violated the law. “Outsiders are coming here on Easter day and announcing a ban on consumption of beef. Their demand is against the Constitution and we are here to protect the Constitution”, he said, asserting that the government will step in so that these people are barred from coming into Goa.
Sardesai said his party will not remain quite and allow these outside leaders to fuel communal tension. “We have the capability to face anyone and Goemkars are ready for the battle. If someone from
Parrikar open to ban on
VHP leaders: Vijai
MARGAO: Why is Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar maintaining a stoic silence when BJP leader Subramanyam Swami and now VHP leader threatened to enforce a ban on consumption of beef in Goa?
When this question was posed to TCP Minister, Vijai Sardesai as to why his Chief Minister has not uttered a single word on the issue when the statements threaten to fuel communal tension in the State, Sardesai said “What I am speaking now is only after consulting the Chief Minister. I can say that what I am speaking now is also the view of the Chief Minister. If he negates my statement, the media can come back to me and ask me”.
When the media sought to know why the Chief Minister has not spoken his mind on the issue ever since Swamy spoke on the beef ban in Goa, Sardesai said “My stand that the government will firmly deal with the outside elements fueling communal tension in the state. I am speaking on behalf of the government. The Chief Minister has told me this”.
Sardesai further said that the Chief Minister shares his opinion on the question of banning VHP leaders on the lines of Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik.
