OLD GOA
A group of concerned citizens organized a protest meeting at the Gandhi Circle, Old Goa on Sunday to condemn the statement of Subhash Velingkar against the Goencho Saib, St Francis Xavier.
Speaking at the meeting, activist Tara Kerkar said that the statements of Velingkar are meant to disturb the communal harmony existing in the State.
“The chief minister has directed officials to organize meetings to keep peace in the society. And such statements will definitely disturb the peace. However, any attempts to divide Goans will not be successful,” Kerkar said while advising Velingkar to take up issues of hill cutting, environment destruction, unemployment, etc if he really cares about Goa and Goans.
“People from all over the world come to pay obeisance to St Francis Xavier and he will always be known as Goencho Saib,” she added and demanded that CM Pramod Sawant should take action against Velingkar.
Condemning the statement of Velingkar, Trinamool leader Samil Volvoikar said that Goa stands out as an example of communal harmony where people live harmoniously irrespective of which religion, caste, creed they belong to.
“The statement of Velingkar has not only hurt the sentiments of the Christians but people of all religions,” Volvoikar informed and opined that there could be a conspiracy behind the statement.
“Right now we are facing many issues like inflation, unemployment, destruction of nature, etc and there is a need to speak on such issues rather than on issues seeking to hurt sentiments of people based on religious lines,” Volvoikar opined while requesting everybody not to fall prey to such statements and live in harmony.
Congress leader Vishal Volvoikar warned Velingkar not to divide people on religious lines. “We will not keep quiet if such attempts are being made by any individual,” he added.
Activist Anthony D’Silva said that St Francis Xavier will always be Goencho Saib. “We will not tolerate anybody who tells people that St Francis Xavier is not Goencho Saib. And who is Velingkar to tell us that?” D’Silva questioned.
Activist Ana Gracias also condemned Velingkar for trying to spread lies about St Francis Xavier and challenged him to a debate on the issue.
“First, understand the proper history of Old Goa and then talk,” Gracias stated.
