A controversy over alleged anti-Hindutva slogans at the CJP demonstration in Panaji has intensified political exchanges in Goa, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordering an inquiry, the BJP demanding a clear stand from Congress leaders, and GPCC working president Sunil Kawthankar publicly condemning the slogans.
The row erupted after a video, purportedly showing demonstrators shouting “Hindutva Murdabad” during Sunday’s protest, began circulating on social media. The demonstration was held to seek the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Authorities prevented protesters from entering Azad Maidan, and police detained seven people during the episode.
Addressing the media in Panaji on Wednesday, Sawant said he had taken note of the video and instructed the concerned authorities to examine the incident. He expressed concern that such acts could disturb communal harmony and said legal proceedings would follow against anyone found responsible after the investigation.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade also questioned the alleged slogans, arguing that the demonstration was intended to focus on electoral roll revision. He maintained that protesters should have kept their demands centred on the SIR issue and alleged that certain individuals were seeking to provoke unrest. Tanavade also raised questions about protesters who had covered their faces.
The BJP has turned its attention towards Congress leaders Sunil Kawthankar and Amit Palekar, seeking to know their position on the alleged remarks. BJP Goa social media cell chief Shubham Parsekar referred to their earlier support for activist Amreen Shaikh after she was detained during the CJP agitation, questioning whether they would respond to the latest controversy in the same manner.
In a separate statement, BJP Goa state media convenor Siddesh Shripad Naik accused Congress leaders of applying different standards depending on the political circumstances. He called on GPCC president Girish Chodankar and other state Congress leaders to make their position clear, insisting that religious sentiments should be treated consistently.
Kawthankar, meanwhile, denounced the reported slogans against Hindutva and called for stringent action against those found to have raised them.
Bailancho Ekvott convenor Auda Viegas said the protest may have been organised for a particular cause, but the slogan in question was not appropriate. She added that the authorities should act according to the law if the allegations of anti-national or anti-religious slogans are established.
Separately, the Bajrang Dal has lodged a complaint against Amreen Shaikh at Curchorem Police Station over alleged derogatory comments about Hindus during the CJP protest. Members of the organisation also burned an effigy of Shaikh near Curchorem Circle.
In its clarification, CJP Goa stressed that its campaign was rooted in democratic principles and concerns over the electoral process, rather than communal issues. The organisation reiterated that it does not endorse expressions that offend religious sentiments.
The controversy has brought the focus back on the October 11 demonstration, with the government pursuing an investigation and political and social organisations expressing differing views over the alleged slogans.
