Religious politics (irrespective of religion) is an age old tactic. Even to this day, in the world’s biggest democracies i.e. US and India one sees a significant negative in democratic religious manipulation via politics on the same, and though it’s significant in USA it’s better than India!
Fr Bolmax was vocal critic on corruption/destruction/Mhadei diversion not only generally on the Goa government but also the local Dabolim MLA (who has corruption cases on him) who quite a few times made comments on the priest but at a serious stage, his PA also verbally abused the priest (which was captured on video) Hence, I was always concerned how/when this priest would be targeted by the political class!
Now coming back to this incident where some groups indicated that their religious sentiments were hurt by what the Priest said, there have been quite a few instances where fanatic/fringe groups and individuals known to be close to the BJP openly made significantly worse and very clear provocative/religious statements in Goa. So how come the CM and ministers like Panchayat minister had the enthusiasm to speak and sort of judge as true that the Priest was wrong, but there was never any statement when the fringe groups/elements made provocative religious statements?
In a way, this issue is now a good diversion for the ruling party from all the other exposed corruption, destruction,land grabs/conversions, hill cutting, very poor governance, Mhadei/Tiger reserve, etc but also surely the respective politicians in addition to vendetta and also seeking massive political brownie points !
The priest already had apologized for his statement where he said he was misunderstood so what was the point of an even bigger drama encouraged by the ruling politicians? I request Goans to please think for themselves, keep emotions aside and see what’s the actual political game here.
