The recent comments by ex-RSS chief Subash Velingkar demanding a DNA test for St. Francis Xavier are unacceptable. St. Francis Xavier is a revered saint for the Catholic community worldwide, and any decisions about him should be left to our Catholic leaders like the Pope, bishops, and other authorities. We do not pay attention to people who act irresponsibly and try to disrupt the peace in Goa using religion. St. Francis Xavier is not just a saint of today; he has been respected for centuries, long before Velingkar was born.
It is clear that Velingkar has a problem with our Catholic saints and church properties, which shows that he holds no respect for minority religions. Despite complaints being lodged in various parts of Goa, the police have not arrested him or even issued a notice, despite having enough evidence. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s refusal to address media questions on this issue shows that the government is not taking the matter seriously, even though it deeply hurts the religious sentiments of Christians in Goa and around the world.
It is frustrating that despite large-scale protests, Velingkar has not been held accountable. St. Francis Xavier is our beloved Goencho Saib and will forever remain in the hearts and minds of Goans. Politicians are playing dirty games to divide the people for votes, which goes against Goa’s history of religious harmony. Separately, the BJP government in Goa and at the Centre is misleading Goans by claiming they will invite Pope Francis for the Exposition of St. Francis Xavier, but in reality, they have not invited him at all. This exposes their true intentions, and their hostility becomes apparent just before the Exposition.
