Panaji
The Congress has penned a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, urging him to prohibit the visit of Maharashtra’s Hindutva activist, Sambhaji Bhide, known for his contentious and provocative speeches, to the coastal state on August 24. In the letter, Vijay Bhike, General Secretary of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, voiced concerns about ongoing religious tensions in the state, emphasizing the need to bar Sambhaji Bhide from entering Goa. Sources suggest that Bhide is scheduled to deliver a discourse titled Contribution of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in the protection of Hindu religion, its mutts and temples, and restoration of temples destroyed during the Portuguese regime. The letter conveyed, Given the present communal scenarios due to various religious issues, such as the desecration of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or the placement of a goddess idol in Church premises, it is prudent to take measures to restore peace and harmony in the state. Highlighting the potential consequences of Bhide’s address, the letter continued, Permitting an individual like Sambhaji Bhide to address a gathering may exacerbate communal tensions, disrupt communal tranquility, and escalate prevailing communal discord into irreparable and irreversible consequences. Sambhaji Bhide is renowned for his inflammatory speeches, and his visit seems to harbor intentions of sowing discord in the backdrop of the present circumstances. The Congress urged the Chief Minister to consider the potential impact of Bhide’s presence in Goa and make decisions that promote communal harmony and stability in the state.
