- 09 August, 2025
Goa, August 9, 2025 – A solidarity meet in Goa, organised by the Council for Social Justice and Peace of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman in collaboration with several civil society organisations, including Goa Needs Minority Commission (a coalition of different organisations), Citizens’ Initiative for Communal Harmony, and the Catholic Association of Goa, strongly condemned recent attacks against minorities in India. The gathering renewed calls for the formation of a State Minority Commission in Goa and opposed the proposed enactment of an anti-conversion law in the state.
The peaceful meet was held at Azad Maidan, Panaji, to denounce the recent incidents. Commencing during afternoon, it was attended by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, citizens of all faiths, activists, and community leaders, who united in a call for the protection of minority rights and the promotion of communal harmony. Participants unanimously resolved to submit a petition to the government.
The petition, read by Fr. Savio Fernandes, Executive Secretary of the Council for Social Justice and Peace, and signed by those present, referred to the arrest of two Keralite nuns and a tribal man at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh as “one of the latest in a spate of persecutions of minorities in India.” The arrests were made under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, following a complaint by Bajrang Dal members led by Jyoti Sharma, alleging forced conversions.
The petition criticised the move to amend the Chhattisgarh law, stating it was being made “harsher” to “create a hype around conversions and justify the enactment of the amendments.” It noted the legislation was modelled on the Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law, which contains “harsh provisions” such as shifting the burden of proof to the accused and defining “conversion” so broadly that “any person from a minority community can simply be targeted.”
Participants warned such provisions could severely impact the ability of Christian missionaries and members of other minority faiths to conduct charity work, fearing accusations of conversion. They stated that “some of the newer anti-conversion laws stand in complete violation of the right to freedom of religion, as well as other fundamental rights,” and called for protection under Articles 14, 19, 21, 25, and 26 of the Constitution of India.
Citing the Karnataka High Court’s warning about the “weaponisation” of anti-conversion laws by vigilante groups, the petition drew parallels to Goa, where Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a proposal to enact such a law. It argued that instead of addressing the demand for a State Minority Commission, “such baseless laws are being proposed.”
The petition also highlighted that minorities in Goa have “faced riots, hate speech, incitement, and provocative statements,” false FIRs later quashed by courts, and denial of permissions for meetings, rallies, or protests, with “anti-terror laws and oppressive anti-conversion laws dangled over them.” Minority institutions, including educational and social welfare organisations, were said to be “facing increasing challenges.”
The meet concluded with three key demands:
Speakers included Pastor David (Methodist Church), Ramesh Gauns (Raxttriy Seva Dal), Abdul Wahab (Association for the Protection of Civil Rights), Cyril Fernandes (Catholic Association of Goa), Sayeed Iftiyaz, Adv Albertina Almeida, and Adv Caroline Collaso.
In his welcome address, Fr. Savio Fernandes emphasised the importance of peaceful action in defending the dignity and safety of all communities, stating, “It is our constitutional right to live and proclaim our faith.” Mathew Almeida anchored the proceedings, while Adv John Samuel delivered the vote of thanks.
The meet concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, as participants reaffirmed their commitment to justice, peace, and safeguarding democratic values.
By Bro. Malvino Alfonso
Image credits: Joseph Fernandes
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