PANAJI
A charged exchange unfolded at the Crime Branch office as hate speech accused Gautam Khattar -- who walked out on bail on Saturday evening -- launched into a combative verbal attack on journalists. The routine media interaction turned into a heated confrontation after Khattar was asked about his health.
Khattar, who was admitted to District Hospital, Mapusa and later to Goa Medical College before obtaining bail, was initially asked whether he stood by his earlier controversial remarks on St Francis Xavier that hurt religious sentiments in Goa.
He sidestepped a direct response, stating that the matter was now sub judice and would be decided by the court. The YouTuber maintained that the definitions of a “derogatory statement” and “religious sentiment” needed to be clarified first.
As journalists persisted, Khattar’s tone sharpened. When asked about his health following his hospitalisation, he pivoted to criticising the media, claiming that “Goan journalists do not have the decorum of journalism” and alleging a lack of ethical standards. He asserted his own academic background in journalism, stating he held a master’s degree in the field.
The remarks triggered immediate pushback from reporters at the scene, who questioned his conduct and accused him of deflecting from the core issue. Voices were raised as journalists pressed him to respond to his earlier statements instead of targeting the media.
Khattar’s supporters attempted to take control of the situation by raising slogans in his favour, before swiftly escorting him into a car and leaving the spot.
Moments earlier, Khattar invoked religious slogans and thanked “Sanatanis” across the country for backing him during his custody. He claimed he was prepared to “sacrifice” himself for his beliefs and framed the controversy as part of a larger ideological struggle.
He also criticised the arrest of his brother Madhav Khattar, calling it completely illegal and likening it to historical instances where relatives of prominent figures faced consequences despite no direct involvement.
