Goa Police expands search for relics of accused, excitement subsides | India News

PANAJI: Protests sparked in Goa by former RSS state chief Subhash Velingkar's controversial statements about Saint Francis Xavier The investigation subsided on Sunday as police expanded their search across the state and neighboring Maharashtra to nab the accused, who has been untraceable since Friday.
Velingkar allegedly demanded a “DNA test” of the relics of Saint Francis Velingkar had applied for early bail on Saturday and the matter is scheduled to be heard on Monday.
The FIR against Velingkar was lodged by Velim MLA on Friday Cruz Silva from AAP, alleging that Velingkar's speech at an event in Bicholim on October 1 insulted St Francis Xavier and hurt religious sentiments. Police stations in Goa continued to receive complaints against Velingkar.
The protesters demanded that Velingkar be kept away from Goa until after the 10-year exhibition of Saint Francis Xavier, which will be held from November to January next year. Born in Spain in 1506, the Christian missionary arrived in Goa in 1542 and traveled extensively throughout India and Southeast Asia until his death in 1552. His remarkably preserved body is preserved in the temple Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.
A memorandum from residents of Old Goa demanded that Velingkar be banned from the area until the end of the exhibition in January. Authorities have not yet responded to the memorandum's demands as tensions remain and police investigations are ongoing.
CM Pramod Sawant has assured that action will be taken against Velingkar and urged the public to maintain peace. He stressed that “no one should try to create tension in the community.” Church leaders called on believers to remain peaceful and not allow religious harmony to be disturbed. Father Henry Falcao, chairman of the exhibition committee, said: “Our feelings are hurt, but we must not be upset.”
On Sunday, there were peaceful protests in Old Goa involving priests, nuns and other community members. Protest organizers, including Glen Cabral, suggested that Velingkar's comments were an attempt to divert attention from real estate projects in the state.
“This is an attempt to divide us because if we are united against all these projects, the government will never succeed. We are Goans first. Let us live together, Hindus, Christians and Muslims. It’s okay to protest, but keep it peaceful and don’t block the streets,” Cabral said. People from different religious backgrounds gathered after Sunday mass in Santa Cruz to file a police report against Velingkar. They demanded his arrest and asked everyone to continue to focus on the larger interests of Goa.