Former Goa RSS Chief Absconding After FIR Over His Remarks On St Francis Xavier

By OB Bureau On Oct 6, 2024

New Delhi: Former Goa unit chief of RSS Subhash Velingkar called for a DNA test of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, who is revered as the patron saint, triggering protests across the state. Goa Police on Saturday said the leader is “absconding” and raids are being conducted to trace him.

An FIR was lodged against him Friday night at North Goa’s Bicholim 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. Earlier, at least half a dozen complaints were filed against Velingkar across Goa for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and disrupting communal harmony.

According to the FIR, the accused with “malicious intentions gave maligning speech against St Francis Xavier outraging the religious feelings and insulting religious beliefs of the complainant, entire class of his religion and others”.

A police team had gone to Velingkar’s residence Friday night, but could not find him there. Velingkar was removed from the RSS in 2016, The Indian Express reported quoting sources.

The protests demanding Velingkar’s arrest erupted Friday as over 300 people gathered outside the police station in Margao, including several leaders from Congress and AAP. On Saturday, protesters blocked roads in Margao, Anjuna and Old Goa. Police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse protesters in Margao. The protesters also issued an ultimatum, threatening to block Zuari bridge if the accused was not arrested soon.

Goa CMmPramod Sawant 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.”