Goa ‘Aarti’ Controversy: Congress Leader Girish Chodankar Grilled for 3 Hours by Police

Senior Goa Congress leader Girish Chodankar was questioned for nearly three hours by police on Sunday in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a social media post.

The case stems from a post in which Chodankar quoted an aarti while raising concerns about pollution in the Mandovi river , allegedly caused by offshore casinos. Police action followed protests by members of the Hindu Ekta Samiti, who accused the Congress leader of distorting a Durga aarti and hurting Hindu sentiments.

Chodankar appeared at the Mapusa police station around 4 pm after being served a notice. Speaking to reporters after the questioning, he maintained that his post was aimed at criticizing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over environmental issues and was not directed at any religion.

“How can I hurt the sentiments of Hindus when I myself am a Hindu?” he said, adding that the police had prepared a questionnaire of nearly 150 questions . “I showed them the video and clarified that it was against the BJP and not against any religious belief.”

According to police officials, separate cases have also been registered against tribal leader Govind Shirodkar and social worker Warren Alemao on similar charges of hurting religious sentiments.

The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing political tensions in Goa , where the Congress has been attempting to corner the BJP government over environmental concerns linked to offshore casinos in the Mandovi river.

The Mandovi, a key waterway in the coastal state, has long been at the centre of public debate, with opposition parties alleging ecological damage and pollution , while the BJP-led government has defended the casino industry citing tourism and revenue benefits .

Chodankar has alleged that the FIR is an attempt to silence dissent and exert political pressure , a charge echoed by the Congress. Meanwhile, BJP supporters and affiliated groups maintain that religious sentiments must be respected , regardless of political intent. The episode underscores the intersection of religion, environmental activism, and political rivalry in Goa’s current political landscape.