PANAJI
There was a sudden change of atmosphere in Goa, switching from peaceful to nearly disruptive, when former RSS Goa chief Subhash Velingkar allegedly attempted to incite communal discord by calling for a “DNA test” of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier. His provocative remark, seen as divisive, stirred unrest. Even Velingkar might not have anticipated the extent of the outrage his statement would provoke leading to quick public backlash.
Unity countered
divisive remarks
But all this was met with a powerful and unified response across communities. This deep-rooted religious harmony set another example to the country that attempts to create tension would be met with strong deterrence. Goa's collective stand did send a message about its lasting religious cohesion.
Protests caused
public inconvenience
Despite the solidarity, the protests disrupted daily life and largely inconvenienced the general public, including those in need of emergency services, over two to three days. The incident also exposed government inaction, as the State began to take action only after citizens took to the streets and filed over a dozen police complaints across police stations in the north and south of Goa.
Velingkar goes
into hiding
As pressure grew, the Bicholim police eventually registered an FIR against Velingkar but public demands escalated seeking his immediate arrest. The RSS member soon went into hiding to avoid arrest and possibly public wrath. The issue also gained national attention with Congress raising concerns over communal harmony under the BJP.
Amid growing tension, Velingkar approached the District & Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail but was denied. The Court made strong observations about deliberate attempts by the Hindu leader to create communal discord and trigger law and order situation. Despite police efforts to locate him, he remained elusive, refusing to respond to notices. The raid at his residence and office also didn’t yield any results for the police. Velingkar then moved the High Court of Bombay at Goa, which granted him relief with an urgent hearing.
... and emerged
after Court relief
Ironically, Velingkar, absconding all this while, appeared before the police the same day he was granted relief by the High Court. Directed to cooperate with the investigation, Velingkar visited Bicholim police station where he was quizzed for about 20 minutes on Thursday. Summoned again the following day, he was interrogated for over three hours.
