PANAJI
A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of stoking communal tension, State Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday claimed that Goans have foiled the deliberate attempt made by the ruling BJP and its right-wing outfit RSS to create communal disharmony in the coastal State.
Addressing a press conference, the Congress leader alleged that former Goa RSS chief Subhash Velingkar had made the statement purposely in view of the upcoming decennial exposition of the St Francis Xavier. He said that the people from across Goa have filed complaints against Velingkar and have refused to bow down to the attempts to create communal tension.
“BJP and the RSS have been attempting to disrupt communal harmony and incite tensions. Goans are aware of the Goa government's strategies to divert attention from pressing issues such as conversions, land deals and the Mhadei,” he said.
“BJP’s blueprint to create discord was foiled by harmonious Goans who upheld brotherhood among all communities, be it Hindus, Catholics, or Muslims,” he added.
Alemao further expressed gratitude to all Goans for their solidarity in maintaining peace and unity within the State.
Velingkar’s controversial and offensive remark on the saint had sparked major outrage in Goa with locals and political leaders demanding his arrest. Several protests were held across the State, while multiple police complaints have been filed against the Sangh leader for hurting religious sentiments. An FIR has already been registered against Velingkar.
"We had raised fears that Goa should not be turned into another Manipur. We had even raised this issue on the floor of the House, but the Speaker refused to entertain our motion to discuss Manipur incidents," he said, accusing the BJP of being "heartless".
The LoP also condemned the lathi charge against protestors and the assault on The Goan’s photojournalist Santosh Mirajkar. He also demanded the withdrawal of cases filed against the protesting citizens.
On the other issue surrounding the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, Alemao questioned how the units, responsible for major pollution, were allowed to recommence the operations.
“The government made a mockery of citizens by imposing a meagre Rs 7,000 fine on polluting industries at Cuncolim IDC where these same industries generate crores of rupees. After paying the fine, they resume operations without rectification,” he alleged, warning of legal action.
