VASCO
As Goa grapples with rising communal tensions surrounding recent remarks against St Francis Xavier, Mormugao taluka is no stranger to communal disturbances.
In the last two years, the taluka has witnessed two such incidents, one involving a clash between two communities during a Ram Navami procession and the other involving remarks by a Christian religious leader against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Mormugao’s history of communal tensions serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of interfaith relationships in the town.
Ram Navami clashes
in Baina
One incident that heightened communal frictions occurred in April 2022 during the Ram Navami festival in the Islampur area of Baina-Vasco.
Tensions flared after members of the Ram Navami procession alleged that stones were thrown at them from the roof of a house in the predominantly Muslim neighbourhood. This led to clashes between members of the Hindu procession and individuals from the Muslim community.
Verbal clashes escalated into physical confrontations, with reports claiming that some members of the procession had entered a nearby mosque with their shoes on while Muslims were offering Namaz.
Retaliation ensued, with complaints of assaults from both sides. Vasco police acted swiftly to diffuse the situation, bringing both groups to the police station for an inquiry.
By late evening, the police station became a focal point of tension as large numbers from both communities gathered, accompanied by political leaders, including Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar.
Vasco police registered multiple cases based on complaints from both sides, and 13 individuals were arrested in connection with the clashes.
Remark on Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj
In 2023, groups like the Shivpremis, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Rajput Karni Sena had accused Chicalim Parish Priest Fr Bolmax Pereira of hurting religious sentiments, following his remark on the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
These groups protested outside the Vasco police station, demanding action against him. In response to these protests, Vasco police registered an FIR against Fr Pereira. The controversy deepened when Fr Pereira’s comments, taken out of context, went viral on social media.
However, the priest quickly expressed regret over the incident, clarifying that his statement was taken “out of context and misinterpreted” and that, his intent was to highlight Shivaji Maharaj’s stature as a unifying national figure.
The case culminated in April this year when the High Court of Bombay at Goa quashed the FIR against Pereira, bringing closure to the event.
The court ruled in favour of Pereira, citing that the priest’s statement did not intend to create discord but was instead manipulated by certain parties to incite tensions.
Fr Bolmax insisted that he was neither arrested nor was there an arrest warrant issued against him.
“I was granted anticipatory bail by the court in case I was arrested. However, there was no ground for arrest and therefore police never arrested me,” said Fr Pereira.
“The false FIR registered against me at Vasco Police Station was quashed and set aside by honourable high court on April 12, thereby upholding my freedom of speech which does not invite any criminal action against me.”
Police response,
peace committee
Following the Ram Navami clashes, Vasco police intensified efforts to prevent further communal disturbances. Then DySP Nilesh Rane, alongside then Vasco PI Kapil Nayak, convened a meeting with religious leaders across communities to foster dialogue and maintain peace in the town.
Rane announced plans to form a peace committee in Vasco, similar to the Mohalla Committees in other parts of India, aimed at preventing future communal violence and promoting interfaith harmony.
"We must ensure that the communal harmony of Vasco, a mini-cosmopolitan city, remains intact," said Rane.
"Our goal is to work with religious leaders to form a proactive peace committee and ensure all festivals are celebrated peacefully and within the framework of the law. The formation of a peace committee marks a crucial step in ensuring that Vasco remains a safe and united space for all its residents, regardless of their religious affiliations."
Vasco police continue to emphasise the importance of maintaining peace and avoiding any incidents that could disrupt the town’s fragile harmony.
