The local Congress in Goa has filed a complaint against Pravinkumar Togadia, general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, for terming Muslims and Christians as modern-day Rahu and Ketu -- two demons in the Indian mythology.
During a recent visit to a few temples in Goa, Togadia cautioned VHP members of 'Rahu and Ketu', saying that they were the enemies of Hinduism. He said this while addressing a small gathering near Mhalsa Narayani temple.
According to a news report in Sunaparant, a Konkani daily, Togadia recalled the mythical Goddess Mhalsa, who destroyed the two demons. 'Time has come once again to fight two similar demons,' he said, referring to the minority communities.
In spite of public protests by several political parties and organisations, BJP chief minister Manohar Parrikar did not take cognisance of Togadia's statement.
The Margao block Congress committee filed a complaint urging the police to register an offence against Togadia under sections 153 A and B, 295 A, 298, 504 and 505 of the IPC. The sections relate to inciting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, imputations and assertions prejudicial to national interest, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, intentional insult with intent of provoking breach of peace and making statements amounting to public mischief.
The Margao police, however, refused to register a FIR against Togadia without conducting a preliminary inquiry. The controversy comes on the eve of by-election to Goa's Poinguinim constituency on October 13.