Indian police charge a Hindu YouTuber in Goa after remarks calling St. Francis Xavier a “terrorist,” triggering outrage and communal concerns.
Newsroom (21/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Police in India’s western state of Goa have filed criminal charges against a Hindu YouTuber after remarks he made about St. Francis Xavier — the region’s revered patron saint — ignited widespread anger and concern over communal harmony.
The accused, Gautam Khattar, is facing charges of hurting religious sentiments following statements delivered during a public event on April 18 in Vasco da Gama, a prominent port town. The gathering, organized by the Sanatan Dharm Raksha Samiti, a Hindu religious group, was attended by several political figures, including state minister Mauvin Godinho and two legislators.
According to reports, Khattar described the 16th-century Spanish Jesuit missionary as “a terrorist, a barbaric, cruel ruler,” alleging that St. Francis Xavier had devoted his life to forcibly converting hundreds of thousands of Hindus to Christianity. He also made controversial remarks about the saint’s mortal remains, which are preserved as sacred relics at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.
Khattar reportedly told the audience that the saint’s “body has been infested with worms” and questioned the continued veneration of the relics, referring to the large-scale religious gatherings associated with them. His comments were seen as particularly inflammatory in Goa, where St. Francis Xavier holds deep cultural and spiritual significance across religious communities.
Revered as Goencho Sahib, or “protector of Goa,” the saint attracts thousands of devotees each year during his feast day on December 3. The once-in-a-decade exposition of his relics, a 45-day event culminating on the feast day, draws millions of visitors. The most recent exposition in 2024 saw an estimated eight million attendees.
The backlash was swift. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed on April 20 that authorities were pursuing legal action, stating that “strict action will be taken, regardless of who the offender is.” If convicted, Khattar could face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.
The Archdiocese of Goa expressed “deep pain and anguish” over the remarks, describing them as “hateful and malicious.” In a strongly worded statement, the Church warned that such rhetoric risked undermining the communal harmony long associated with the state.
“Such divisive rhetoric, laced with falsehoods and venom, deeply hurts the sentiments of Goans, irrespective of the religion they profess,” the statement read, emphasizing that St. Francis Xavier is held in “the highest esteem” across communities.
At the same time, the Archdiocese appealed for calm, urging residents to “exercise restraint” and preserve the peace and unity that have historically defined Goan society.
The complaint against Khattar was formally lodged by Peter D’Souza, a leader of the opposition Congress party, and was supported by similar complaints from other political groups. The case highlights the sensitivity of religious issues in a region known for its diverse cultural fabric and relatively stable interfaith relations.
In response to the controversy, the event’s organizers issued a public apology to the Christian community. “We apologize to all our Christian brothers with whom we have been living like brothers,” representatives of the Sanatan Dharm Raksha Samiti said. “We never expected Khattar to make such a statement, and we immediately stopped him.”
The incident has drawn attention not only to the legal boundaries of free speech in India but also to the delicate balance of religious coexistence in Goa, a state shaped by centuries of both Hindu and Christian traditions.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities face mounting pressure to act decisively while ensuring that tensions do not escalate further in a region that has long prided itself on communal harmony.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form UCA News
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