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Goa Police Question Congress Leader After FIRs Over Alleged Religious Insults

The cases highlight how complaints over devotional language can quickly become police matters in Goa.

Overview

  • Police in Mapusa questioned Congress leader Girish Chodankar for about three hours over a case alleging he hurt religious sentiments.
  • Officers said separate FIRs name Chodankar and tribal leader Govind Shirodkar, with a third case filed against social worker Warren Alemao.
  • The complaints followed a protest by several hundred people under Hindu Ekta Samiti who accused Chodankar of distorting a Durga aarti, a devotional hymn.
  • Chodankar said his social media post targeted the BJP over Mandovi river pollution from offshore casinos and he denied any intent to offend.
  • The investigations come after right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar won bail following his arrest for remarks about St Francis Xavier, a saint widely revered in Goa.