Personally monitoring Khattar case, says Sawant

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant, on Wednesday, said that efforts are on in full-swing by Goa police to trace and secure the arrest of YouTuber Gautam Khattar, against whom an FIR has been registered in Goa for making derogatory remarks against St Francis Xavier.

Sawant, who also holds the home portfolio, said that he is personally monitoring the probe.

“We are very serious about this issue. Our police team has already gone to Dehradun. I have instructed police to act strictly against him as per law. I am personally monitoring the investigations. The DGP is monitoring it. We have fast tracked it, that is why a team is already out to trace and arrest him. He is yet to be located. As soon as he is traced, he will be immediately placed under arrest,” said the chief minister.

Instagram has disabled Khattar’s profile following the controversy.

Meanwhile, the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats issued a statement condemning Khattar’s remarks.

“St Francis Xavier is a revered saint and is an integral part of Goa’s spiritual, cultural, and historical heritage. Such statements deeply hurt the religious sentiments of lakhs of people in Goa and across the world who hold St Francis Xavier in highest esteem,” the statement by Association president Shaikh Bashir Ahmed says.

He also demanded action against organisers of the event where Khattar made the statements, stating that they gave him a platform to make the divisive statements.

The association said that prompt action needs to be taken to “reinforce public confidence and preserve the peace and unity of our state.”