Panaji, May 30 — Amid increasing incidents of religious sentiment being hurt in Goa, former legislators have voiced their concerns, blaming ‘Hindutva forces’ for disrupting peace and harmony in the state.
In light of these tensions, Director General of Police Jaspal Singh urged the public on Tuesday to avoid posting derogatory content on social media. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also emphasized that irresponsible statements against any religion that incite tension will not be tolerated, promising legal action against offenders.
Recently, Goa has seen several incidents stirring religious sentiments. A few months ago, the desecration of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sparked unrest. In February, the Goa police registered an offence against a mob for unlawful assembly and rioting after Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai was attacked with stones at the inauguration of the Shivaji statue in Sao Joao De Areal village, South Goa.
More recently, devotees from temples in both the north and south of the state have protested, demanding action against those who posted derogatory remarks on social media.
Former MLA and lawyer Uday Bhembre attributed these issues to ‘Hindutva forces’. He remarked, “Such incidents were not reported earlier. This is not confined to Goa but is evident in regions with BJP governments. Hindutva forces create these problems, feeling secure due to their political power. Occasionally, public pressure forces the government to act.”
Bhembre highlighted that this pattern has also been observed in Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, often leading to retaliatory actions from other religious groups. “Militant organizations of Hindutva forces have initiated this trend of hurting religious sentiments,” he added.
Former Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Tomazinho Cardozo called for strong legislation to curb such incidents, noting the increased intolerance. He lamented the loss of communal harmony, which was a hallmark of Goa before certain politicians began soliciting votes on religious lines. “Since the BJP came to power, intolerance among religious communities has increased,” Cardozo said.
Former MLA and ex-Deputy Superintendent of Police Lavoo Mamledar stressed the need for prompt police action to prevent such acts. “These incidents have surged only after the BJP assumed power,” he stated.
Goa Alliance Party president Salim Mulla pointed to social media as a key factor in escalating tensions, as it allows for anonymous accounts to spread inflammatory content. “Goa is known for its peace, but some forces are now trying to divide us for political motives,” Mulla said, urging society to recognize these divisive tactics.
As the state grapples with these issues, there is a growing call for unity and legislative measures to restore peace and harmony in Goa.
