Arrest persons making communal remarks, Ferreira urges CM
PANAJI: Terming the recent remarks against St. Francis Xavier as “communal in nature”, Congress Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that such statements insult the entire Catholic community as well as Goans in general. He also challenged Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to fulfil his assurance of arresting such individuals who are spreading communal hatred.
Ferreira said that St. Xavier is highly revered not only by Christians, but by people of all faiths, including Hindus and Muslims, and even people from outside the state and those abroad.
“We have been coming across statements in social media recently, including those made to the press, which are highly communal. The way these people are making these statements is not correct. When they are targetting St. Francis Xavier, it is an insult to Goencho Saib, an insult to every Goan,” he said.
“Not only Christians, but people of all faiths including Hindus and Muslims, even people from outside the state and those abroad hold this revered saint in high regard. Such insults mean insulting the entire community, especially, the Catholic community. Those who make such insults must be subjected to a DNA test because Goans will never make such statements. If they have Goan blood in their veins, they will never think of uttering such words,” he said.
He said that a certain individual makes such statements every year when the Feast of St Xavier approaches, more so now when the state is going to organise the Exposition of the relics of the saint.
“Our Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant had made a statement in the Assembly saying ‘we will not tolerate anyone insulting any religion and we will take immediate action to arrest them’. I challenge the Chief Minister, arrest such people who are creating communal inflammation and insult other religions, especially St Xavier. Once this is done, it will ensure that they are shown their rightful place and not to interfere with anyone. I urge the CM, fulfil your assurance, and arrest such persons,” Ferreira asserted.
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