Panaji, June 29 (TNN): The BJP will not ban Sriram Sena chief Pramod Mutalik from Goa as Article 19(1) b of the Constitution guarantees, among other things, freedom to move freely throughout India, Goa BJP spokesperson Wilfred Mesquita said on Friday.
Mesquita said that as long as Mutalik does not violate the law, the government cannot act against him.
Mesquita reminded that it was Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar who was responsible for blocking Mutalik's entry into the BJP prior to the Lok Sabha elections. "The Constitution does not stop anyone from travelling anywhere. If he creates a law and order situation, the government will deal with it," Mesquita said.
When asked about Mutalik's ideology, Mesquita said that no society and no individual accepts drugs, alcoholism and prostitution which Mutalik opposes.
"What Mutalik says is the universal truth but his modus operandi is condemnable. The government and people of Goa are capable of dealing with these challenges without any moral policing," Mesquita said.
Mesquita's statements drew criticism across party lines, including from BJP MLAs.
BJP Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, "Mutalik is a person who has vandalized property and beaten up boys and girls in Mangalore. When we campaigned there, Hindu and Christian families told us that our three-term MLA was a good person but that they would not vote for the BJP because Mutalik was seen as close to the party. Our MLA lost the election. Best thing is to stop Mutalik from entering Goa. Sriram Sena office should not be allowed to be set up in Goa," Lobo said.
Lobo also said that Mutalik only preaches hatred. "It will disturb the peace in Goa. Why should Goa spoil its name by bringing in this poison? We should not allow this poison into Goa," Lobo said.
Congress president John Fernandes reacted to the statement with trepidation. "Mutalik is a national security threat. He is moving around to divide the country with his fanatic philosophy. We want him to be arrested under NSA. His speeches are provocative and will create communal discord. Goa is known for its communal harmony and we don't want Mutalik and his gang doing moral policing in Goa."
The NCP in Goa reiterated its demand for a ban on the Sriram Sena in Goa. "We demand that the chief minister make a statement on the issue within 48 hours to dispel the anxieties of the people of Goa on the entry of the Sriram Sena in Goa," NCP spokesperson Trajano D'Mello said.
He added that two BJP MLAs-Michael Lobo and Vishnu Surya Wagh-have spoken out against the Sriram Sena and reminded that in 2012, when Mutalik was not very well known, the NCP had demanded a ban on him.
MGP president and minister in BJP-MGP combine Pandurang 'Deepak' Dhavalikar said that Mutalik is an Indian citizen and he is free to enter Goa and teh government can neither ban him from entering Goa or from starting a Sena unit in state.