Priest booked for remarks on Shivaji in Goa

Earlier this week, in a purported video, the priest had said in a sermon, “There are a few people for whom Shivaji has become a God…Yes, he is a national hero. We have to honour and respect him. What he has done, the battles he fought to protect his people…for all that he deserves respect. He is a hero, but not a god…We have to have a dialogue with our Hindu brethren and ask them ‘Is Shivaji your God? or a national hero’. If he is a national hero, let it be at that. Don’t make him a God. We need to understand their perspective. If we live in fear, we will not be able to rise again”.

The police complaint, lodged by one Kiran Naik and other residents of Mormugao, stated that the statements made by priest had hurt religious sentiments and that such statements may disturb law and order.

The FIR stated that the accused had deliberately posted video of his sermon on a social media platform, “with intent to outrage religious feeling by making a remark on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which insulted/provoked the religious sentiments of people of Hindu religion and followers of Shivaji”.

Following outrage by “Shiv Premis”, Fr Bolmax Pereira had expressed regret, saying that his sermon was selectively taken out of context.

“The purpose and intent of making a mention of the great national hero and valiant warrior during the sermon was to tell devotees and viewers that Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj was revered by people across the country and abroad, cutting across religion, caste, creed, language, etc and hence, attributing him to only one religion would reduce his stature and greatness amongst people of other faith,” said Pereira in a statement on Thursday.

He added that he was shocked to learn “that his sermon was selectively taken out of context to show only one part of the statement and the other part, praising his (Shivaji) valour and heroism wherein he protected his people and his kingdom and stood against invaders, was maliciously omitted,” which he said was done to incite anger and create enmity between communities.

“If any individual or organisation has been hurt due to this episode and misunderstanding, I express my deepest regret and hope and pray that the long lasting bond between communities that has existed since centuries is maintained and grows stronger,” he said.

Abhishek Dhania, SP South Goa, said, “A case has been registered and further legal action shall be taken”.

The FIR was registered under sections 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke beach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code at Vasco police station on Friday night.