MARGAO
A group of Muslims under the banner of the Goa Muslim Forum, along with members of the Jamia Masjid, Margao, lodged a complaint with Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Margao, DySP Santosh Desai, against some persons from Canacona for making provocative speeches with the intent to disturb communal peace and amity.
DySP Desai later told the media that the police would verify the contents of the complaint and initiate necessary action as per the law.
Briefing the media, Goa Muslim Forum president Sheikh Iftikar said the people of Canacona have been revolutionaries who fought for the liberation of Goa and waged battles against injustices.
He, however, lamented that some persons under the banner of Hundavi Swaraj Sanghatana are fomenting trouble by making inflammatory speeches, stating that Muslim women should stop wearing burqas and calling on Muslim men to stop wearing caps.
“We are shocked that such statements have come from Canacona, which has always stood against injustices. In fact, we expect the people of Canacona to protect the small Muslim community as their big brother from such elements. They had only asked for permission to take out the Julus procession on the occasion of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday. But some people are trying to communalise the atmosphere by making inflammatory speeches,” he lamented.
The president of Jamia Masjid, Margao, Urfan Mulla, said the delegation has asked the police to investigate the inflammatory speeches and initiate necessary action.
“People of all communities have lived in peace and amity in Goa over the years. This is the first time we have heard some people threatening action if Muslim women wear burqas and if men wear caps,” Mulla said.
The complaint stated that the speech in the video promotes harmful and divisive ideas that undermine national integrity and harm the people of the state and the country. “The speech poses a threat to national integration and the well-being of the citizens in the state,” the complaint stated.
