Panaji: Congress on Tuesday demanded to ban the entry of Hindutva activist Sambhaji Bhide, fearing religious tension may erupt due to his provocative speeches. Vijay Bhike, General Secretary of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, on Tuesday addressed a press conference in Panaji and said that in the BJP’s rule peace and social harmony is disturbed. North Goa District President Virendra Shirodkar was also present.
“Now a days anti-social elements are trying to disturb our peace. We should not fall prey to them. Government has no control over it. Presently democracy is attacked. People of Manipur are suffering. But the government has done nothing to control it,” Bhike said. He said that there are many cases lodged against Sambhaji Bhide for his provocative speeches at many places. “There is ban on Pramod Muthalik, then why not ban on Sambhaji Bhide, against whom many cases are lodged. Even Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, has also lodged complain against him for his derogatory remarks,” Bhike said.
“I have written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Chief secretary requesting them to ban the visit of Sambhaji Bhide, who is known for his controversial and provoking speeches. He is scheduled to come to Goa on August 24 to address a gathering at Davorlim,” he said.
“Allowing a person like Sambhaji Bhide to address a gathering would only lead to more communal tension and disturb the communal peace in the state. There is also a very high possibility of eruption of communal riots which may lead to communal tension and will result in irreparable and irreversible loss,” he said.
Bhike said that people of all faiths are living in the state respecting each other and hence this relation should not spoil. “we have maintained our brotherhood. Anti-social elements should not be allowed to create tensions,” he said. President Droupadi Murmu should also visit Manipur
While welcoming President Droupadi Murmu on her three-day visit to Goa, Bhike said that he appreciates her hard work to reach to the top post. “I feel that she should also visit Manipur because our people are suffering there. It is part of India and hence she should visit there to bring peace. Government is not speaking on the Manipur issue, hence I request the Honorable President to make a statement on Manipur,” Bhike said, adding the people of Manipur have also contributed for the development of the country.