VASCO
Hundreds gathered at the Chicalim Church on Friday night to display their solidarity with the parish priest Fr Bolmax Pereira, after a case was booked against him in connection with his remarks on Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a recent sermon in the Church.
Vasco police had booked Fr Pereira under Sections 295, 504 IPC on charges of hurting religious sentiments of Hindu community and followers of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
On hearing news that a large number of people including Shiv Premis, members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organisations had assembled at the Vasco Police station on Friday evening to demand the arrest of Fr Pereira for his remarks, people started proceeding to the Chicalim Church on Friday evening amid concerns and anticipation that Fr Bolmax would be arrested.
The numbers began to swell by about 9 pm as hundreds assembled at the Church and took part in prayers for communal harmony and sang hymns in front of the St Joseph Vaz monument, as part of their solidarity with Fr Bolmax.
While Fr Bolmax was not present at the site, the Assistant Parish Priest Fr Peter Fernandes attended the solidarity meet. Capt Viriato Fernandes addressed the people and appealed for unity and communal harmony.
A police force was stationed outside the Chicalim Church to maintain law and order.
Several Hindus, Muslims too extended support: Capt Viriato
VASCO: Captain Viriato Fernandes said a large number of concerned parishioners as well as many Hindus and Muslims had gone to the Chicalim Church on Friday evening to express their love and support to Fr Bolmax Periera.
Narrating the sequence of events at the Chicalim Church, Capt Fernandes said there were around 60-70 parishioners who had gone to the Church on learning that Shiv Premis had given a call to gather in large numbers at the Vasco police station.
“At the same time, people were keeping a track on live news from Vasco police station. I too went to the Church at around 7 pm to check. At around 8.30 pm or so, there was news that an FIR has been filed against Fr Periera and many people assumed that he would be arrested and hence, the count of people began increasing even though we tried to convince the people that an FIR did not mean arrest.”
Fernandes said concern turned to panic after someone showed the gathering a video where Shiv Premis said that they would be going to the Church.
“By now, rumours were spread that the Shiv Premis had left the police station and were moving towards the Church. Anticipating trouble from the Shiv Premis and to ward off any danger arising due to the threat from their arrival, some parishioners decided to peal the Church Bells.
“After the bells were pealed, I was shocked to see hundreds of people and their families rushing to the Church to extend their support and solidarity. In fact, many present were a bit confused if the vehicles coming with people were to support Fr Bolmax or if they were Shiv Premis who were moving towards the Church.”
“To make matters worse, the police party positioned at the Church placed barricades on the road. As people began proceeding towards the church, we went to the police near the barricades and requested them to check the vehicles and the occupants, before allowing them to the Church.”
“Slowly, people from Vasco, Old Goa, Nuvem, Cortalim and other parts also began coming to the Church amid fears that Fr Bolmax could be arrested.”
“What touched me even more is that many Hindus and Muslims also came with families to the Church in support of Fr Pereira,” said Capt Fernandes.
