Raising slogans and holding placards condemning the speaker, organisers and elected representatives present at the event, the crowd marched from Tilak Maidan towards the Vasco police station.
The atmosphere remained charged and emotionally intense as protesters demanded immediate and strict action against those responsible for the offensive remarks.
Anticipating a possible law and order situation following the controversial speech, a heavy police presence had already been deployed at the Vasco police station.
As the protesters reached the premises and entered through the main gate, they were stopped by police personnel from moving further inside, particularly towards the police inspector’s cabin and interior sections of the station.
As word of the protest spread, more people continued to gather at the police station, swelling the crowd and further intensifying the situation. The atmosphere turned tense and stressful, with several protesters engaging in heated arguments with police officials. They questioned the delay in arresting Gautam Khattar and sought clarity on the progress of the investigation.
A delegation led by former minister Jose Philip D’Souza, along with Cortalim Congress leader Peter D’Souza and other leaders from Mormugao taluka, met officials and demanded immediate arrests. The delegation insisted that not only Gautam Khattar, but also the organisers of the event and the MLAs present ” Sankalp Amonkar, Krishna Salkar, and minister Mauvin Godinho ” be held accountable in connection with the incident where the derogatory remarks were made.
Despite repeated appeals from authorities, many protesters, including senior citizens and women, refused to leave the police station premises without concrete assurances. Several had arrived in the morning and continued their protest well into the afternoon, enduring the scorching heat and even skipping meals as a mark of their determination.
As the hours passed and the crowd continued to grow, the situation remained tense, with a palpable sense of unrest prevailing in and around the police station. Protesters demanded an official response, pressing authorities for immediate updates and visible action.
Senior administrative officials, including the deputy collector and mamlatdar, arrived at the scene and attempted to pacify the agitated crowd through dialogue. However, tensions escalated further before police authorities stepped in to address the gathering.
Superintendent of Police Gurudas Kadam personally interacted with the protesters and assured them that a First Information Report had been registered and that the matter was being treated with seriousness. He informed the gathering that necessary legal procedures were underway.
Following these assurances, the protesters gradually began to disperse by evening. However, they issued a stern ultimatum, demanding the immediate arrest of the main accused Gautam Khattar within a short time frame and strict legal action against all those involved.
