Margao Police Detain Protestors Demanding Arrest of Former Goa RSS Chief Subhash Velingkar

Late on Saturday night, police in Margao, South Goa, used force to disperse protestors blocking a national highway. The protestors were demanding the arrest of Subhash Velingkar, the former Goa RSS chief. A senior police official confirmed that five individuals were detained after they refused to vacate the road during the demonstration.

The protestors were reacting to statements made by Velingkar that allegedly hurt religious sentiments. His comments targeted St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa, whose relics are housed at the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church in Old Goa. More than a dozen cases have been filed against him for these remarks.

Police Action and Detentions

As the protest continued throughout the day, a group of demonstrators blocked vehicles on the highway passing through Margao city. Despite most protestors ending their agitation earlier, this group persisted, leading to police intervention. Officers resorted to using canes to disperse them and detained five individuals, including a woman, for questioning.

The Bicholim Police had already registered an FIR against Velingkar on Friday. The ongoing protests disrupted traffic and caused inconvenience to commuters in the area. Authorities stated that they had to take action as the protestors were obstructing vehicles and harassing passengers.

Legal Proceedings and Bail Application

In response to the legal actions against him, Velingkar sought anticipatory bail from a local court on Saturday. However, the Additional District and Sessions court in Panaji denied him interim relief from arrest. The court has scheduled further hearings for Monday.

The situation remains tense as authorities continue to monitor developments closely. The protests have highlighted underlying tensions related to religious sentiments in the region. The legal proceedings against Velingkar are expected to continue as more details emerge.