Panaji:Following the directive of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the North Goa District Congress Committee and Mhadei District Congress Committee today jointly organised a strong protest at Azad Maidan, Panaji, condemning the registration of what the Congress termed a “malicious and politically motivated FIR” against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi.
The protesters strongly condemned the alleged casteist “purification ritual” carried out by BJP-RSS workers at the venue of Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, and demanded immediate legal action against those responsible.
Congress leaders said that instead of taking action against those allegedly responsible for insulting constitutional values and social equality, the Uttarakhand Police had registered an FIR against Shri Rahul Gandhi after he publicly demanded accountability and action.
The protest witnessed the participation of Congress leaders, office-bearers, frontal organisations and workers, who raised slogans against the BJP government and demanded justice, constitutional equality and an end to the alleged misuse of state machinery for political vendetta. GPCC Vice President Tulio De Souza, Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, Spokesperson Samil Volvoikar, Sevadal Chief organiser Rajan Ghate,General Secretary Jitendra Gaonkar,District Presidents Shashank Narvekar, Mangaldas Naik, Adivasi Department Chairman Ramkrishna Jalmi, Social Media Chairman Himanshu Tivrekar,Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sanghatan Chief Pravin Blaggan,Outreach Cell Chairman Seby Menezes, Parvati Nagvekar,Muktamala Shirodkar, Maula Rodrigues and other members were present.
Amarnath Panjikar, Chairman, GPCC Media & Communication Department, said: “The BJP must understand one simple truth—an FIR cannot silence Rahul Gandhi, and police cases cannot suppress the Congress. When someone raises his voice against caste discrimination and defends the dignity guaranteed by our Constitution, the BJP responds by weaponising the state machinery. This is not law and order; this is political vendetta.”
Panjikar further said: “The real question is: why is the BJP government protecting those accused of insulting a Dalit leader through a so-called ‘purification’ ritual? Why is the person who exposed this injustice being targeted instead? The BJP must answer the people of India. Congress will not remain silent when constitutional values are attacked.”
He demanded that the authorities register an FIR and initiate strict legal action against the BJP workers allegedly involved in the incident, rather than targeting the Leader of Opposition.
“Rahul Gandhi has spoken for social justice, equality and constitutional dignity. The Congress will stand shoulder to shoulder with him. The more the BJP tries to intimidate us, the stronger our resistance will become,” Panjikar said.
Rajan Ghate said: “Today’s protest is not merely against one FIR. It is a protest against the dangerous mindset behind it. The Constitution gives every citizen equal dignity, yet BJP-RSS workers are allegedly allowed to indulge in caste-based humiliation while those who question it are booked. This double standard is unacceptable in a democracy.”
District President Shashank Narvekar said “If the BJP government believes in the rule of law, let it prove it by acting against those responsible for the Haldwani incident. Law cannot be selective, and justice cannot depend on political affiliation. The Congress will continue to fight this battle on the streets and within the constitutional framework.”
Samil Volvoikar said: “The BJP is attempting to turn the police into an instrument of political intimidation. Rahul Gandhi demanded action against those responsible for a deeply objectionable act, and instead an FIR is registered against him. This exposes the priorities of the BJP government.”
Volvoikar said: “The Congress will not allow caste discrimination, political vendetta or the misuse of government institutions to become the new normal. From Goa to Uttarakhand, Congress workers will defend the Constitution and the rights and dignity of every citizen. We demand an immediate FIR against the BJP workers responsible and strict action as per law.”
The Congress leaders reiterated that the fight is for constitutional equality, social justice and the dignity of every citizen, and warned that the party would continue to raise its voice against any attempt to intimidate opposition leaders or suppress democratic dissent.
“The Congress will not be intimidated. The Constitution will not be compromised. And injustice will not be normalised.” justice, equality and constitutional dignity. The Congress will stand shoulder to shoulder with him. The more the BJP tries to intimidate us, the stronger our resistance will become,” Panjikar said.
Rajan Ghate said: “Today’s protest is not merely against one FIR. It is a protest against the dangerous mindset behind it. The Constitution gives every citizen equal dignity, yet BJP-RSS workers are allegedly allowed to indulge in caste-based humiliation while those who question it are booked. This double standard is unacceptable in a democracy.”
Ghate added: “If the BJP government believes in the rule of law, let it prove it by acting against those responsible for the Haldwani incident. Law cannot be selective, and justice cannot depend on political affiliation. The Congress will continue to fight this battle on the streets and within the constitutional framework.”
Samil Volvoikar said: “The BJP is attempting to turn the police into an instrument of political intimidation. Rahul Gandhi demanded action against those responsible for a deeply objectionable act, and instead an FIR is registered against him. This exposes the priorities of the BJP government.”
Volvoikar said: “The Congress will not allow caste discrimination, political vendetta or the misuse of government institutions to become the new normal. From Goa to Uttarakhand, Congress workers will defend the Constitution and the rights and dignity of every citizen. We demand an immediate FIR against the BJP workers responsible and strict action as per law.”
The Congress leaders reiterated that the fight is for constitutional equality, social justice and the dignity of every citizen, and warned that the party would continue to raise its voice against any attempt to intimidate opposition leaders or suppress democratic dissent.
“The Congress will not be intimidated. The Constitution will not be compromised. And injustice will not be normalised.”
