Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Aug 19: The Goa Congress on Wednesday demanded registration of an FIR against BJP youth workers over a protest during the arrival of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge at Dabolim Airport, alleging a serious security breach.
Congress spokesperson and senior leader Amit Palekar accused BJP Youth President Tushar Kelkar and other youth workers of using abusive language, loudspeakers, flags and sticks during the protest. He alleged that the protesters surrounded Kharge's vehicle as he left the airport.
Palekar said Kharge was a state guest, AICC president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and is accorded Z+ security. He questioned how the protest was permitted in a high-security area and sought an explanation from the Goa Police.
The Congress leader said a formal complaint had been submitted to the South Goa Superintendent of Police and demanded immediate police action. He alleged that flags, sticks and bouquets were thrown towards Kharge's vehicle and members of his security team.
Palekar also questioned what he described as differing treatment of protests involving Congress and BJP workers. He asked why an FIR had not been registered against the BJP youth workers if they had violated restrictions during the airport protest.
Criticising BJP state president Damodar Naik's reported response to the incident, Palekar alleged that the BJP leadership had failed to condemn the protest. He questioned what message was being given to young workers by praising such actions.
Goa Youth Congress president Archit Naik also accused the BJP youth wing of putting Kharge's life at risk. He alleged that protesters broke barricades, entered the road, used a loudspeaker without permission and threw objects at the vehicle.
Archit Naik further alleged that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was putting pressure on the police and urged the force to act independently. He challenged the BJP youth wing to raise issues such as unemployment, drug abuse, youth suicides and law and order instead of targeting visiting political leaders.
Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Pratiksha Khalap alleged that women members of the BJP youth wing used abusive language during the protest and criticised the BJP over issues concerning youth and law and order in the state.
Seva Dal chief organiser Rajan Ghate, meanwhile, defended the Congress practice of singing the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' and said the party did not require a certificate of patriotism from the BJP.
Palekar also challenged BJP MLAs to publicly recite the complete national song, seeking to turn the ongoing controversy into a test of their position on the issue.