Hundreds of Hindus protest outside Panaji Police HQ over derogatory anti-Hindu remarks

• Protests led by Hindu Ekta Manch

• Protestors cite double standards by the police in handling of religious remarks

Panaji, Goa: Panaji witnessed a massive protest on Saturday, as hundreds of devout Hindu protesters, led by the ‘Hindu Ekta Manch’ converged at the Police Headquarters in Panaji. The demonstration was a direct response to a series of derogatory remarks against Hindu deities and traditions by political figures and activists. 

Sentiments hurt: Arrest Of Alemao, Shirodkar, Chodankar say protestors#SentimentsHurt #PanajiProtest #WarrenAlemao #GovindShirodkar #GirishChodankar #HinduSentiments #GoaPolice #ArrestDemand #GoaNews pic.twitter.com/rFcBkq6WaB

— In Goa 24×7 (@InGoa24x7) May 2, 2026

Demand for justice

The protesters argued that while the police acted with extreme speed to arrest Gautam Khattar for his comments on St. Francis Xavier, they showed “selective silence” over offensive statements made by others against Hindu Dharma.

The crowd blocked the streets outside the Police Headquarters, shouting slogans and demanding that the police apply the same “iron hand” to those who insulted Hindu Dharma. The protest only intensified as leaders submitted formal complaints, giving the police a three-day ultimatum to make arrests. 

Hindu premi Gathered at Police Headquarters in Panaji, Demand Action Over Religious Remarks#hindu #hurtful #sentiments #arrest #policehq #goa #panaji pic.twitter.com/DWnjdoEM1O

— Goa News Hub (@goanewshub) May 2, 2026

Key demands of the protest

The demonstrators submitted a formal memorandum to the Goa Police, calling for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a fair and time-bound probe into the allegations and also immediate arrest of three individuals:

1. Girish Chodankar (Congress Leader): Accused of distorting and disrespecting a sacred Hindu aarti in a viral video. An FIR has been registered against him at the Mapusa police station for hurting religious sentiments.
2. Govind Shirodkar (Tribal Leader): Facing an FIR for his controversial claim that “Goans have the DNA of St. Francis Xavier.” Hindu groups described this as an insult to the ancestry and cultural identity of the majority community.
3. Warren Alemao: Booked by the Panaji police for demanding a ban on “Sanatan” and “Sanatani” people in Benaulim. The complaint, filed by the State Karni Sena, states that his statement was a direct threat to Hindus across the state and intended to cause communal enmity. 

Are there two laws in one State? 

The protesters were vocal about the “anti-Hindu bias” of the current system. Abhay Vartak of the Sanatan Sanstha questioned the delay and stated that while Gautam Khattar was tracked down as far as Himachal Pradesh for his remarks made against Francis Xavier during a Parshuram Jayanti event in Vasco, the police has been hesitant to arrest Girish Chodankar, Govind Shirodkar, and Warren Alemao. The protestors pointed out that a complaint against Girish Chodankar has reportedly been pending at the Mapusa Police Station for over two-and-a-half months without any arrest.

“If the law is equal for everyone, why are these people still walking free after insulting Hindu Gods and our identity?” asked a representative from the Hindu Ekta Manch.

Editorial Perspective

• The swift arrest of Gautam Khattar contrasted with the slow response to those mocking Hindu Deities and demanding bans on “Sanatanis” exposes a glaring double standard of the Goa Police.
• Freedom of speech cannot be a one-way street. The Goa government and police must ensure that every faith and every citizen is protected equally under the law.

— Editor, HJS

FIR against three Christians: accused on the run

Adding to the above, a parallel FIR has been registered at the Mapusa Police Station against three Christian individuals, namely Babet, Chelsea, and Mascarenhas. These three are accused of posting highly derogatory content on social media targeting Hindu Deities.

Police sources indicate that all three have absconded and are suspected to be hiding outside Goa. While lookout notices have been issued, protesters are questioning how these individuals were allowed to flee before being taken into custody.

The 3-day ultimatum

Following the massive protest, the Goa Police confirmed that three separate FIRs have been registered. Girish Chodankar was summoned and questioned for nearly three hours at the Mapusa police station on Sunday.

However, Hindu Ekta Manch issued a three day ultimatum to the police authorities. The group warned that failure to arrest the accused within the stipulated time would lead to a larger mobilisation of supporters across Goa, potentially escalating the agitation.