Goa CM Defends Police Action Over Umar Khalid Release Placards During Protests
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has backed police action against protesters who allegedly displayed placards demanding the release of Umar Khalid during demonstrations held in the state, saying that those involved in anti-national activities would not be tolerated.
Speaking to reporters in Vasco on Sunday, Sawant said the police were right to act against individuals who allegedly displayed the placards in support of Khalid, who is an accused in a case related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
The controversy emerged during protests organised by Uzvad NGO in Mapusa and Panaji on Friday and Saturday. The demonstrations were primarily aimed at demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the examination system and the NEET paper leak.
Police questioned Amreen Shaikh, head of the NGO, after she was summoned to the Mapusa police station. The action followed a complaint filed by a group of citizens alleging that some protesters had displayed placards calling for Khalid's release. Police subsequently detained two youths in connection with the matter.
Sawant said the government had no objection to protests or criticism of ministers, but maintained that demonstrations should not be used to promote what he described as an “anti-national agenda.” He questioned who had brought individuals to Goa to push the demand for Khalid's release.
“There were protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. One can understand those,” Sawant said, while asserting that the state government would not allow attempts to disturb Goa's peace and harmony.
The chief minister also defended Pradhan, saying that the Union minister's resignation should not have been sought as he had taken action in connection with the NEET paper leak issue.
Sawant reiterated that Goa is a peaceful state and said the government would take steps to ensure that peace and communal harmony were maintained.