Goa CM implores against communally sensitive comments

Panaji, Feb 28 (IANS) No one should make statements which can disturb the communal harmony in Goa said Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, even as the VHP Friday commented that it would make efforts to re-convert Goan Christians to Hinduism.

Parsekar, however, said that no action could be taken against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad spokesperson because free speech was a fundamental right.

"I feel as chief minister that nobody should make any statement that would disturb or affect the communal harmony?" Parsekar told IANS late Friday.

Earlier, ahead of VHP's golden jubilee function in the state, Dada Bedak, secretary in-charge of the Satsang (spiritual discourse) division, had told IANS that the senior leaders would discuss issues like re-conversion and love jihad and how to approach them in next 50 years.

"Thousands of our brothers were converted to Christianity due to Portuguese oppression. We will, of course, make efforts to bring them back to the Hindu fold once we strengthen our organisation here. Our aim is straight and clean," Vedak said.

He added that the VHP would reach out to Christians, converted during the Portuguese regime, with "love and affection".

"We have freedom of speech, freedom to write and therefore I cannot come against their fundamental right," Parsekar said.