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During a sermon, a Catholic priest in Goa allegedly insulted religious sentiments by making comments about the Maratha warrior monarch Shivaji, according to police.
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At least one hundred “Shiv Premis,” including members of Bajrang Dal and Rajput Karni Sena, demonstrated outside the Vasco police station in South Goa on Friday night, demanding the immediate arrest of Fr. Bolmax Pereira, a priest serving the Catholic community of Chicalim, South Goa at St. Francis Xavier Church.
Earlier this week, an alleged video of the priest’s sermon stated, “For certain individuals, Shivaji has become a god. He is a national icon, yes. We must respect and honour him. What he has done and the battles he has waged to protect his people merit respect. He is heroic, but not divine…We must engage in dialogue with our Hindu kin and inquire, “Is Shivaji your God?” “Or a national hero” If he is a national icon, the matter should end there. Don’t turn him into a god. We must comprehend their perspective. If we continue to exist in fear, we will be unable to rise again.”
The police complaint, filed by one Kiran Naik and other Mormugao residents, stated that the priest’s remarks had offended religious sentiments and that such remarks could disrupt law and order.
The FIR said that the accused posted a video of his speech on a social media site with the intention of disrespecting the religious feelings of Hindus and Shivaji followers by making a comment about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Fr. Bolmax Pereira had apologized after “Shiv Premis” voiced displeasure, claiming that his sermon was misrepresented.
The purpose of mentioning the great national hero and brave warrior during the sermon was to show devotees and people that Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj was respected by people all over the country and around the world, regardless of religion, caste, creed, language, etc., and that giving him to only one religion would lower his prominence and greatness among people of other faiths, Pereira said in a statement on Thursday.
He also said that he was shocked to find out that his speech was selectively taken out of context to display just a single aspect of the statement. He said that the other part, which praised Shivaji’s bravery and heroism in protecting his people and kingdom and standing up to attackers, was purposely left out. He said this was done to make people angry and make people from different communities hate each other.
If anyone or any organisation has been harmed as a result of this incident and misunderstanding, please accept my heartfelt apologies. I hope and pray that the centuries-old connection between communities is maintained and strengthened.
Abhishek Dhania, SP of South Goa, stated that a case had been filed and that legal action would be taken next.
The FIR was filed at the Vasco police station on Friday night under the Indian Penal Code’s sections 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts meant to hurt the religious sentiments of any community by insulting their faith or religious beliefs) and 504 (intentional insult with the goal of disturbing the peace).
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