Former Goa RSS chief Subhash Velingkar’s remark against Saint Francis Xavier had triggered protests across the state. Earlier this week, he had called for a “DNA test” of the relics of St Francis Xavier. The opposition parties in the state have condemned his statement and former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao has filed a police complaint demanding his arrest.

However, the Goa police on Saturday said that Vellingkar is “absconding” and raids are being conducted to trace him. At least half a dozen complaints were filed against Vellingkar for hurting religious sentiment and disrupting communal harmony.

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An FIR was filed against him on Friday night at North Goa’sBicholim police station under section 299 of BNS (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) based on the complaint by AAP MLA Cruz Silva.

As per the FIR filed, the accused has given “malicious intentions gave maligning speech against St Francis Xavier outraging the religious feelings and insulting religious beliefs of complainant, entire class of his religion and others”.

Over 300 people including several leaders from Congress and AAP gathered outside the police station in Margao demanding his arrest. The protesters had also blocked roads in Margao, Anjuna, and Old Goa.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized BJP government for stoking communal tension in the region in his post on X. “In Goa, the BJP’s strategy is clear: divide the people while exploiting ecologically sensitive areas by illegally converting green land and bypassing environmental regulations—an assault on Goa’s natural and social heritage,” he wrote.

Goa’s appeal lies in its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its diverse and harmonious people.

Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack. The BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 6, 2024

Meanwhile, the Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant has appealed to the people to maintain peace and not to block roads. Sawant said, “Whatever action was taken [in the case] against Fr Bolmax [Pereira], similar action will be applied for Velingkar.”

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The Congress in a statement said, “Goa has a unique identity of communal harmony, peace and respect for all traditions and culture. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that this sensitive fabric of sharing love and affection with each other is preserved.”