Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Alleged slogans of “Hindutva Murdabad” during a CJP protest in Panaji have sparked a political confrontation in Goa, prompting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to order an investigation, the BJP to seek explanations from Congress leaders, and GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar to call for action against those responsible.
The controversy centres on a video circulating on social media that purportedly shows the slogans being raised during Sunday’s protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Reacting to the video on Wednesday, Sawant said he had taken note of the social media post and asked for the matter to be investigated. He said legal action would follow if wrongdoing was established, alleging that attempts were being made to disturb communal harmony in the state. The Chief Minister also warned that the government would not tolerate efforts to create communal tension.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade questioned the alleged slogans, arguing that the protest should have remained focused on the SIR issue. He also raised concerns over protesters concealing their faces.
The BJP subsequently turned its criticism towards Congress leaders, seeking clarity on their stand regarding the alleged slogans. State BJP media convenor Siddesh Shripad Naik accused the Congress of selective outrage and called on its leaders to explain their position. BJP Goa social media cell chief Shubham Parsekar also questioned the response of Sunil Kawthankar and Amit Palekar, referring to their earlier support for activist Amreen Shaikh after her detention during the protest.
Kawthankar, however, has condemned the slogans against Hindutva and demanded strict action against those found responsible.
Bailancho Ekvott convenor Auda Viegas said the protest may have had its own justification, but the alleged slogan was inappropriate. She maintained that authorities should act if anti-national or anti-religious slogans were found to have been raised.
The dispute has also reached the police. The Bajrang Dal has lodged a complaint against Amreen Shaikh at Curchorem Police Station over alleged derogatory remarks about Hindus during the CJP protest. Members of the organisation also burnt an effigy near Curchorem Circle.
Sunday’s demonstration had seen protesters stopped near Azad Maidan, with seven people detained.
