Panaji: Protests erupted across Goa demanding the arrest of YouTuber Gautam Khattar for allegedly making objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier during the Bhagwan Parashuram Janmotsav event in Vasco on Saturday.Demonstrations were held outside police stations in Margao, Vasco, Anjuna and Old Goa, with residents seeking immediate action.MLAs across party lines condemned the remarks. Crowds gathered outside the South Goa police headquarters, raising slogans of “We want justice.” A delegation met South Goa SP Santosh Dessai. “We have told them to arrest. We have given them an ultimatum. We will not tolerate this,” said MLA Altone D’Costa.At Vasco police station, protesters questioned how Khattar could refer to “our Goencho Saib” as a terrorist. “Our sentiments are hurt. Don’t fool us by just registering an FIR. Such people should be banned in Goa,” a woman protester said.“The remarks made against St Francis Xavier were intolerable,” said a protester Lavina D’Souza. “We demand the immediate arrest of Khattar. Govt should come clear on the issue, as the religious sentiments of the Christian community in Goa and across the world have been hurt.” The Catholic Association of Goa (CAG) also filed a complaint with Vasco police, holding three Mormugao MLAs present at the event equally responsible and demanding a public apology from them.A group led by Pratima Coutinho gathered at the South Goa police headquarters, raising slogans against Khattar, elected representatives present at the event, and BJP govt. Police shut the main gate to regulate the crowd seeking to meet the SP and demand registration of an FIR under relevant sections of the BNS.Former MLA Churchill Alemao issued a warning, stating that if such attacks on St Francis Xavier and Christianity continue, people may “take law into their own hands” and he would “step forward to lead the agitation.”In the evening, Benaulim Congress block president Keith Gracias, in his personal capacity, along with around 100 supporters, submitted a memorandum to Colva police inspector Vikram Naik, demanding an FIR under sections 302, 196, 299 and 352 of the BNS for allegedly promoting enmity, disturbing communal harmony and inciting unrest.Chief minister Pramod Sawant urged organisers not to disturb communal harmony by inviting such speakers. Goa police registered an FIR on Sunday after a video of Khattar’s remarks went viral. “Organisers should first warn the speakers. We have already registered the FIR against him. We will conduct an inquiry and act,” Sawant said.Transport minister Mauvin Godinho, who was on the dais, said he attempted to intervene. “We were called on stage expecting to hear something good. The organisers did not inform us who the speakers were. We were shocked and tried twice to ask the organiser to stop the speech. If we had tried to stop it forcefully, there could have been a law and order situation,” he said.Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade said the remarks were wrong and clarified that it was not a govt function.Goa Congress president Amit Patkar demanded Khattar’s immediate arrest and a ban on those involved in hate speech from entering the state. South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes alleged that BJP was trying to divide people, saying, “This policy of BJP will fail because Goa is an epitome of communal harmony.”Complaints were also filed in Canacona, while Congress functionary Gaspar Coutinho condemned the remarks.Former MP Narendra Sawaikar said, “Having a social media presence does not qualify someone as an expert on every subject. We Goans know what is right for us.” He added that Goa’s cultural heritage and unity remain its most valued strengths.
