Vasco Police File FIR Against YouTuber for Derogatory Remarks on Saint
Vasco police have officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) against YouTuber Gautam Khattar for the use of derogatory language targeting St Francis Xavier. The incident occurred during the Bhagwan Parshuram Janmotsav event held in Vasco on Saturday, which quickly ignited a significant controversy across the state of Goa.
Police Action and Official Complaint
Superintendent of Police for the Vasco sub-division, Gurudas Kadam, confirmed that the FIR was filed late on Sunday night in response to multiple complaints received by the authorities. The primary complaint was lodged by Peter D’Souza, president of the Cortalim block Congress committee (CBCC), who described the incident as "shameful" and emphasized that it had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Christian community while disturbing the communal harmony that Goa is renowned for.
Political Condemnation and Demands for Action
The event, organized by the Sanatan Dharm Raksha Samiti in Mormugao, was attended by several prominent political figures, including Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankalp Amonkar and Krishna Salkar. However, opposition parties have unanimously condemned Khattar's remarks.
Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao, has called upon Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to take immediate action and ensure Khattar's arrest. Alemao stated, "Such divisive and hateful statements have no place in Goa, a land known for communal harmony. We will not allow anyone to disturb our unity or disrespect our faith. This case must be dealt with an iron hand."
Fatorda MLA and GFP president Vijai Sardesai labeled the remarks as "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."
Further Calls for Legal Measures
AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik has written to the Director General of Police, Alok Kumar, demanding immediate suo motu action against Khattar. Naik argued that the comment was "a deliberate and desperate attempt to ignite communal disharmony" and warned that such statements could potentially incite tensions and disrupt the social harmony of the region.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about hate speech and its impact on community relations in Goa, with authorities and political leaders urging strict legal measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
