Goemkarponn desk
MARGAO: AICC leader Girish Chodankar complaint against BJP Spokesperson Giriraj Pai Vernekar and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar for Inciting Hostility Towards Catholic Priests.
Chodankar said that Giriraj Pai Vernekar, spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar incited hostility towards Catholic priests.
“On 12/June/2024, during a press conference that was broadcasted on local television and social media, Vernekar and Sankalp Amonkar accused Catholic priests of polarizing the people of Salcete, attributing this as the reason for the BJP’s loss in the South Goa parliamentary constituency,” he said in the complaint.
He added that it is important to note that the BJP is currently in power both at the Centre and the state level, and therefore has access to government machinery including the CID and election officers, who are responsible for taking action against any violations of the model code of conduct during election campaigns.
“If there had been any attempt to polarize the voters, the BJP would not have remained silent. It is evident that Vernekar is trying to find a scapegoat for his party’s poor performance and has unjustly targeted religious leaders,” he said.
He said such statements of frustration post-election can lead to communal division, tension, and potentially even violence between communities. Vernekar’s and Amonkar’s accusations can incite right-wing groups to target religious leaders, which could escalate into a situation akin to the unrest seen in Manipur.
“In light of the above, I urge you to file a complaint against Giriraj Pai Vernekar and Sankalp Amonkar under IPC Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and any other relevant clauses of the IPC or any law in force. It is crucial to send a clear message that such incitement will not be tolerated, especially after a lengthy election cycle where people desire to set aside their differences, live in peace, and work together for the development of our state,” he said.
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Such statements of frustration post-election can lead to communal division, tension, and potentially even violence between communities. Mr. Vernekar’s and Amonkar’s accusations have the capacity to incite right wing groups to target religious leaders, which could escalate into a situation akin to the unrest seen in Manipur.
In light of the above, I urge you to file a complaint against Mr. Giriraj Pai Vernekar and Sankalp Amonkar under IPC Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and any other relevant clauses of the IPC or any law in force. It is crucial to send a clear message that such incitement will not be tolerated, especially after a lengthy election cycle where people desire to set aside their differences, live in peace, and work together for the development of our state.
I trust that you will take immediate and appropriate action to address this serious matter.
Yours sincerely,
Girish Chodankar
Encl:- Video clip of Press Conference.
