MARGAO
The BJP upped the ante against the South Goa Congress candidate on the alleged anti-constitution remark on Wednesday after party leaders led by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar lodged a complaint in the matter with the Colva police.
Amonkar urged the police to register an FIR against Viriato under section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act, 1971 and to investigate the matter thoroughly so as to unearth the intention in making the statement which attacks the very application of the Constitution to the State of Goa.
In his complaint, Sankalp said Viriato alleged at the meeting that the Constitution was implemented on 26/1 / 1950, adding “we were not part of India and when we got liberated in 1961 the Constitution was passed and which did not include us and was forced upon us".
He said Viriato’s statements disrespects and disregards the sacrosanct Constitution of India, adding that the statements constitutes an offence as punishable under section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act, 1971.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders Adv Atish Naik and Giriraj Pai Vernekar also slammed Viriato for his statement that the Constitution of India was forced on the people of Goa after liberation. They criticised Viriato and the Congress leaders, including GPCC Chief Amit Patkar, for running away from the issue, saying the Congress has nothing to defend in the matter.
In support of the claim that Viriato was clear in saying that the Constitution has been forced upon the people of Goa, a video of Viriato’s speech was played at the media briefing. Meanwhile, a group under the banner of Indian Tiger Organisation also flayed the Congress candidate for his remarks on the Indian constitution.
