Goa Congress has demanded an immediate FIR against BJP youth workers over the protest during the arrival of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge at Dabolim Airport, alleging a serious breach of security protocol and accusing the BJP leadership of encouraging “gundagiri”.

Congress spokesperson and senior leader Amit Palekar said the protest was necessitated by the conduct of BJP Youth President Tushar Kelkar and other BJP youth workers.

“Kelkar, who is the BJP Youth President, is so blinded by devotion that he is leading young kids down a dangerous path,” Palekar said.

Palekar alleged that the protesters used abusive language, loudspeakers, flags and sticks and surrounded Kharge’s vehicle as he exited the airport. He pointed out that Kharge was a state guest, the AICC president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and was protected by Z+ security.

He questioned why police permitted the protest in a high-security area and demanded an explanation from Goa Police. Palekar said Congress had filed a formal complaint with the South Goa SP seeking action against those involved.

Palekar further alleged that protesters threw flags, sticks and bouquets towards Kharge’s vehicle and members of his security team.

“When ordinary youth protest at Azad Maidan without permission, the Goa Police slap cognizable offences on them. But when the BJP youth protest, why isn’t an FIR registered? Is there a different ‘BJP Nyaya Sanhita’ separate from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?” he asked.

He also criticised BJP State President Damodar Naik over his reported response to the incident, questioning what message was being sent to young people.

Youth Congress president Archit Naik accused the BJP youth wing of putting Kharge’s life at risk. He alleged that protesters broke barricades, entered the road, used a loudspeaker without permission and threw objects at the vehicle.

“We saw the ‘Goons of BJP’ at the airport. Who are these goons? They are the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha,” Archit Naik said.

Naik also accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of allegedly putting pressure on the police and demanded registration of an FIR.

“The Goa Police must remember that they are the protectors of the people of Goa, not of the government,” he said.

He challenged the BJP youth wing to raise issues such as unemployment, drug abuse, youth suicides and law and order instead of targeting a visiting national leader.

Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Pratiksha Khalap alleged that women members of the BJP youth wing used abusive language during the protest. She also criticised the BJP over its handling of youth and law-and-order issues.

Khalap also responded to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s remarks on the ‘Vande Mataram’ controversy, saying Congress did not need lessons in patriotism.

Seva Dal chief organiser Rajan Ghate defended Congress’s practice of singing the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’, saying the practice had been followed by several national leaders.

“The Congress Party does not need any certificate of patriotism from the BJP,” Ghate said.

Meanwhile, BJYM President Tushar Kelkar hit back at the Congress over the protest, calling the controversy a “failure of the Congress party” and Girish Chodankar’s leadership.

Kelkar accused Youth Congress workers of initiating violence during what he described as a peaceful BJYM protest. He also alleged that Congress was politicising the ‘Vande Mataram’ issue.

Kelkar said BJYM would continue to oppose Congress leaders with black-flag protests over what he termed disrespect to ‘Vande Mataram’.

The allegations from both sides come amid a political confrontation over the protest at Dabolim Airport and the manner in which it was conducted in the presence of Kharge’s security detail.

Congress has sought police action against the protesters, while the BJP youth wing has defended its protest and accused Congress workers of provoking violence. The matter is now likely to remain a political flashpoint in Goa.