‘Hurtful’ remarks against St Xavier kick up storm

Margao: Objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier made by a speaker, Gautam Khattar, at a Bhagwan Parshuram Janmotsav event in Vasco on Saturday have kicked up a storm.

Cortalim block Congress Committee (CBCC) president Peter D’Souza on Sunday filed a police complaint against Khattar with Vasco police, terming the incident “shameful”. D’Souza demanded immediate action against the speaker and accountability from politicians and organisers present at the function. “The incident has hurt the sentiments of the Christian community and disturbed communal harmony in Goa,” D’Souza said.

Transport minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankalp Amonkar and Krishna Salkar were among those present at the event.

“Such divisive and hateful statements have no place in Goa, a land known for communal harmony. This case must be dealt with an iron hand,” leader of opposition Yuri Alemao said.

GFP president Vijai Sardesai called the remarks “an insult to the sentiments of millions of devotees in Goa and across the world who revere St Francis Xavier as a symbol of faith, service and compassion”. AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik wrote to DGP Alok Kumar demanding suo motu action against Khattar.