BJP Goa complains against Catholic priest over MCC violation; State Election Commission begins inquiry

Citing breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the BJP in Goa had complained to the Election Commission(EC) against the hate speech by a Catholic priest. Following the complaint, the Goa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has ordered an inquiry into an alleged hate speech given by a Christian priest.

On Sunday, the Goa BJP accused a Catholic priest of creating an atmosphere of hate and fear against the BJP and against Hindus through his alleged hate-speech. A video of the priest from South Goa addressing some people inside a church has gone viral on social media.

BJP's Panaji block general secretary Vishnu Naik said in his complaint, the video clip shows "a religious priest addressing people within the building of a religious institution and creating an atmosphere of hate and fear against a particular political party".

In the video, the priest, who is speaking in Konkani, is seen criticising the BJP, party president Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and late Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The BJP's Goa unit lodged a complaint after the video made rounds on social media.

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Additionally, a complaint was also filed by a local resident. The complainant alleged that through his speech, the priest was spreading hatred and also violated the model code of conduct (MCC).

The ruling party demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and that the priest be booked for "spreading hatred".
Polling will be held for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa on April 23. The BJP has fielded its sitting MPs - Shripad Naik in North Goa and Narendra Sawaikar in South Goa. Besides the Lok Sabha polls, by-elections to three assembly seats in Goa - Shiroda, Mapusa and Mandrem - will also take place on April 23.

(with PTI inputs)