Police on Monday booked outstanding Goan author and Sahitya Akademi awardee Datta Damodar Naik on costs of injuring non secular sentiments after receiving complaints that he labelled temple clergymen “looters” in a latest interview.
Naik (70), who can also be a businessman, stated he’s a “staunch atheist” and isn’t scared by the event.
Based on police, one criticism was filed at Canacona police station by Satish Bhat, who alleged that in an interview to a regional information channel, Naik made derogatory remarks about Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math, which is in Partagali, South Goa.
“In an interview, Naik referred to temple clergymen as dacoits and looters. In our tradition, we respect everybody’s opinion, whether or not somebody is an atheist or not. However via these remarks, he has intentionally damage non secular sentiments and insulted our tradition,” Bhat instructed The Indian Specific.
One other criticism was lodged at Panaji police station on Saturday by Jayesh Thali from Gomantak Mandir and Spiritual Establishments Federation. The criticism alleged that Naik dedicated a grave offence by labelling the “Bhat-Purohit” (clergymen) as “looters”. “Whereas perception in God is a private matter, making such public statements branding clergymen, temples and monasteries as looters is an offence below the legislation because it hurts non secular sentiments and has led to social unrest,” the criticism learn.
Police stated an FIR has been lodged below BNS part 299 (deliberate and malicious acts which are meant to insult or outrage the non secular emotions of any class of residents) and an investigation has been initiated.
Naik instructed The Indian Specific, “I’m a staunch atheist and I’ve been in public life for a number of years. At a latest occasion…I stated that temple clergymen looted cash from folks… Later, I clarified that I meant to say they ‘extracted’ cash… It’s true, temples are extracting cash. I questioned what was constructed with this cash? Have they constructed any faculties, hospitals? The place is all this cash going?”
He stated he was conscious {that a} police criticism had been lodged towards him. “I have no idea whether or not it has been transformed to an FIR. Anyway, I’m not scared. What is going to they do? Arrest me? I’ve the liberty to precise my opinion and I’m not afraid. What about my sentiments as an atheist? The house for rational pondering and dialogue is shrinking,” he stated.
Naik has written in Konkani, Marathi and English. He gained the Sahitya Akademi award in Konkani in 2006 for his assortment of essays, Jai Kai Jui. Within the early Nineteen Nineties, he based Samata Andolan, a gaggle for rationalists from throughout Goa.
Uncover the Advantages of Our Subscription!
Keep knowledgeable with entry to our award-winning journalism.
Keep away from misinformation with trusted, correct reporting.
Make smarter selections with insights that matter.
Select your subscription bundle
