“We cannot stop anyone from taking inspiration from someone,” Parrikar said. Francis Pereira, the ‘so-called-perpetrator’ has become nothing less than a role model, a hero in Goa. Though behind bars, Francis Pereira is said to be an inspiration to other vandalists’. Recently, on 25th July 2017, 12 more crosses and other religious symbols in the cemetery of Fatima Chapel at Karanzale in Marcaim village (North Goa), were desecrated. The village is situated around 35 kms from the capital city of Panjim.
Goa police had arrested 53-year-old Francis Pereira on July 14 following the spate of desecration of religious symbols or structures such as holy crosses and gravestones.
Some ideologies by our leaders
“The police was always very confident that he was the culprit. How can the act be done again if he is behind the bars? We suspect major foul play in the series of desecration which has been happening in Goa since the last one month,” said Shantaram Naik, State President Congress.
Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar raised the issue of mass desecration of graves. “People are worried because the latest incident has happened while Francis Pereira who was arrested recently for allegedly single-handedly destroying religious structures, is in police custody,” he said.
According to the Catholic Church
Father Savio Fernandes had said in the report, “We do not believe that a man who is more than 50 years of age can damage so many crosses. It is the job of an organised group who wish to disrupt the communal harmony existing in the state.” The fact finding report by the church soon after Periera was caught had also requested for a judicial inquiry stating the arrest was nothing but an attempt to pacify the Christian community.
Is Pereira the one? Is he the only one?
According to reports, Pereira has personally shown Police and other officials, including Chief Minister all the 146 places he desecrated. Francis Pereira also claimed he was not involved in the latest incident in Marcaim.
Another culprit or scapegoat?
“Police have registered a FIR. They have got some definite clues….Give them three-four days and they will arrest the culprit,” the chief minister said.
Picture Credit: Hindustan Times
