Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief, Vijai Sardesai, has launched a scathing attack on the Goa government over a recent derogatory comment made about St. Francis Xavier, revered by Goans as Goencho Saib, the protector of Goa. During a press conference, Sardesai questioned whether the insult was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace and communal harmony the saint represents or a strategic distraction to divert attention from the alleged corruption and mismanagement under the current administration.
Sardesai minced no words in expressing his disgust at the remark, which he described as a “despicable act” meant to hurt the sentiments of Goans. “St. Francis Xavier is not just a religious figure; he is the soul of Goa. He represents unity, peace, and harmony. Any insult to him is an insult to every Goan,” he stated.
The GFP chief raised concerns about the timing of the comment, suggesting it could be part of a broader plan to distract the public from what he termed the “unspeakable and unprecedented loot” taking place under the Goa government’s watch. “While Goemkars’ sentiments are deeply hurt, I seriously can’t say the same for the Government of Goa or BJP Goa, who have done nothing to mitigate the damage these spiteful words have caused,” he added, noting that no significant action had been taken by the ruling party to address the controversy.
Sardesai was particularly critical of the Goa BJP’s silence, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past statements praising St. Francis Xavier as a “symbol of peace and cohesiveness.” “I’m appalled and, at the same time, amused that the Goa BJP doesn’t even care about what their leader, the honorable PM, thinks of St. Francis Xavier. Where is the respect for the values that St. Francis Xavier stands for?” he questioned.
The GFP leader accused the state government of being indifferent to the communal harmony of Goa and of using such divisive tactics to divert public attention from more pressing issues. “This government has made a habit of using distractions whenever they find themselves cornered by corruption allegations, environmental degradation, or infrastructure collapse. And now, they are stooping as low as to let an attack on Goencho Saib pass without consequence,” he said.
Sardesai’s remarks reflect the growing unrest among Goans, who view the silence from the ruling government as tacit approval of the divisive rhetoric. While the BJP leadership remains quiet, public outrage over the comments continues to grow, with many Goans calling for swift action to uphold the dignity of St. Francis Xavier, a symbol of peace and unity.
As Goa waits for an official response, Sardesai’s sharp criticism shines a light on a government that appears indifferent to the values it claims to uphold. Whether this incident is an attempt to destroy Goa’s communal harmony or distract from ongoing governmental failures, one thing is clear: Goans will not take an insult to Goencho Saib lightly, and they expect accountability from those in power.