The Bicholim Police have finally filed an FIR against ex-RSS Goa chief Subhash Velingkar for making offensive comments about St. Francis Xavier. However, no arrest warrant has been issued, and Velingkar has not been arrested yet. Why?
What’s worse is that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is usually quick to act when it comes to targeting Catholic priests over minor issues, has not made his stance clear, nor has he condemned Velingkar’s comments on St. Francis Xavier. Why? Is it because Velingkar is a former RSS Chief in Goa? Or is it because Sawant continues to back and support him like a family member, due to political pressure? Does he want Velingkar to make more inflammatory remarks to provoke communal tension and distract Goans from real issues like unemployment and land conversion protests? Is the plan to turn Goa into a lawless state?
Some may argue that Article 19 of the Constitution gives citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression, but this right is subject to “reasonable restrictions” to maintain public order, decency, and morality. By that logic, the comments made by Shreya Dhargalkar and Fr Bolmax should also be protected. Yet, FIRs were quickly filed, and they were even arrested after protests by right-wing groups. Why the difference? CM Sawant needs to stop being hypocritical and stop acting like he is blind, deaf, and helpless. If he truly wants to show that both he and the BJP represent all communities and are committed to secularism in Goa, he should ensure Velingkar is arrested without delay”though it seems unlikely he will.
