PANAJI
BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade refrained from commenting on the controversy surrounding the offensive remarks made by RSS member Subhash Velingkar regarding St Francis Xavier, citing that the matter is sub judice.
He however criticized the manner in which protests were held across the State, claiming that the public was inconvenienced and in some instances, protesters resorted to violence.
“The Velingkar issue is in the Court, but one thing is clear that the protests saw people taking the law into their own hands. It was just like a complete shutdown... We saw through (social media) videos that a rider travelling with his father was beaten,” he said adding, “Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but it should not infringe on others' rights. Protests must be conducted systematically.”
When questioned about Minister Aleixo Sequeira's statement about St Francis Xavier's DNA in all Goans, Tanavade stated that the minister should not speak on behalf of Hindus. “He has already issued an apology,” the party president added.
