Goa Tense: Protests Erupt After Ex-RSS Chief Demands 'DNA Test' Of St Francis Xavier's Relics

Goa: Protests erupted in Old Goa on Sunday against Subhash Velingkar, former chief of RSS’s state unit, over his comment about Goa’s patron saint St Francis Xavier. Velingkar called for a “DNA test” of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, who is revered as the patron saint of Goa.Protesters demanded that Velingkar be externed till the decennial exposition of St Francis Xavier is complete. The exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier will be held between November 2024 and January 2025. The relics are preserved at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa.The Bicholim police registered a case against Velingkar on Friday for hurting religious sentiments after his comments on the patron saint. On Friday 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 lathicharge to disperse protestors at Margao; two detained#Goa. #Protest #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/qN75IkPtde

— The Goan 🇮🇳 (@thegoanonline) October 5, 2024

Goa CM Pramod 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.” What Is The Controversy?The row erupted after Subhash Velingkar called for a “DNA test” of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier. His remarks have sparked outrage among the Christian community in the state, leading to multiple complaints and protests.Notably, St Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, arrived in Goa, then a Portuguese colony, in 1542. He died in 1552 on Sancian Island, off the coast of Guangdong province in China. His relics are enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.Velingkar was removed from the Sangh in 2016 after he rebelled and had disagreements with the government’s medium of instruction policy in elementary education. In 2022, Velingkar had said that St Francis Xavier cannot be called “Goencho Saib” and a campaign titled ‘The Goa Files’ would be launched to create awareness that Lord Parshuram is the “Goencho Saib”.Former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao filed a police complaint demanding Velingkar’s arrest. In his police complaint, Alemao accused the former RSS leader of hurting religious sentiments and attempting to disrupt communal amity. Not only this, dozens of FIRs were filed by different political leaders and people against Velingkar over his remarks. Velingkar Also Files ComplaintVelingkar on Thursday also filed a police complaint at Old Goa police station against “certain activist groups” for spreading “false narratives and attempting to disrupt communal harmony”.In the police complaint, Velingkar said, “I have recently made a statement regarding the Goa Inquisition, an unfortunate chapter in the history of Goa, which took place during the period of Portuguese rule. While history speaks of Saint Francis Xavier’s contributions to the spread of Christianity, it is important to understand that the Goa Inquisition created a reign of terror for many non-Christians.”“The comparison I draw is between the actions of the Inquisition, which instilled hatred and terror, and the true spirit of sainthood. I believe it is time to revisit history, examine the actions of the past and reflect on the true meaning of sainthood. Acts that incite hatred or oppression, whether during the Inquisition or in any other historical period, cannot be considered holy. This statement is not made to defame any religion but to highlight the historical events that shaped the experiences of countless Goans. My statements speak of the written history and not my personal views,” he said.“The push for a DNA test to verify the identity of the remains believed to be those of St Francis Xavier has gained momentum among the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and globally,” he added in the complaint.After being booked for hurting religious sentiments, Subhash Velingkar posted on FB, “if truth had to be suppressed in the name of religious sentiments then no country would have been able to write its history." Political Slugfest EruptsRahul Gandhi wrote in a post on X, "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 organisations calling for an economic boycott of Muslims."

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

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.”BJP Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo said, “St Francis Xavier is a saint revered by people from all religions. People like Velingkar make such stupid statements just to come in the limelight. They want to create a rift between religions.”Vijai Sardesai, president of Goa Forward Party, said, “The sentiments of Goemkars from all faiths are hurt after unfortunate comments. Have the government’s sentiments not been hurt? And what will it do to not vitiate the atmosphere with such insults against the Goencho Saib, whom the Prime Minister termed a ‘symbol of peace and cohesiveness’ in February?”Aam Aadmi Party MLA Venzy Viegas said, “People like him [Velingkar] need to be rehabilitated outside the state. We strongly condemn such statements. This is being done just to divert attention from the main issue of land conversion plaguing the state.”