Team Herald
MARGAO: Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Margao again on Saturday, blocking arterial roads and halting bus services at the Kadamba bus stand, demanding the arrest of Subhash Velingkar for his controversial remarks against Goencho Saib – St Francis Xavier. The protesters, who had been out on the streets until late Friday night, reiterated their outrage, stating that Velingkar’s comments had deeply hurt their religious sentiments and were seen as disrespectful to the revered saint.
The demonstration saw widespread participation, with many from the Hindu and Muslim communities joining in, emphasising their collective commitment to preserving communal harmony in Goa.
The diverse turnout of youth, senior citizens, local political leaders, and a large number of women made it clear that they would not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the peaceful coexistence of Goans or disrespect their beliefs.
The demonstrators demanded swift action from the government, calling for the police to immediately arrest Velingkar to set a precedent against such inflammatory remarks. Many shared personal stories, emphasising the importance of respecting religious and cultural figures in a multi-faith society.
In a display of civil anger, protesters blocked three major traffic junctions – Margao’s Old Market Circle, Dambab Circle near Ravindra Bhavan in Fatorda, and the stretch of highway near the South Goa Collectorate building, resulting in major traffic jams.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Kishore Raikar, a resident of Navelim, said they cannot tolerate attempts to disturb the harmony of peace-loving Goans.
“Despite belonging to the Hindu community, I felt very bad about the statements made by Velingkar. He has no right to question or make statements about other religions,” he said.
A Muslim woman’s words at the Margao protest highlighted a deep sense of pride in her faith and a call for respect across religious lines. Questioning Velingkar’s understanding of St Francis Xavier, she said, “I am a Muslim and a strong believer in Goycho Saib. Did we ever disrespect the religion and Gods of Velingkar? But who are you to question our Saints and God?”
She said that India is a secular country and Velingkar should keep this in mind before making any remarks that hurt religious sentiments.
Pratima Coutinho alleged that Velingkar is pursuing a political agenda aimed at fostering disharmony and division among communities. “They want to create discord,” she stated, adding that the BJP has deliberately engaged in divisive tactics in response to public protests against land conversion and illegalities. Coutinho asserted that their protest would continue until Velingkar is arrested and the government takes strict action against him.
“Our demand is simple and a one-point agenda: arrest Velingkar,” declared Warren Alemao, a protester from Varca. He added that the protest would now extend to the village level, warning that they would block roads in rural areas if necessary. “Don’t force the people to take law and order into their own hands,” he said.
As a result of the roadblocks, some commuters, including parents picking up children from school, faced some hardships. Ambulances and school buses were allowed to cross the picket line. Despite these challenges, many local organisations expressed their support for the protest. However, there was one incident of a clash between a commuter and a protester near the KTC bus stand, highlighting the tensions surrounding the demonstration.