Rupesh Samant

Panaji, May 8: Congress on Wednesday demanded a public apology from State Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai for his statement on “weaponising the youth to protect Goanness.”

All India Congress Committee General Secretary Apsara Reddy, told a press conference on Wednesday, that Sardesai’s statement was condemnable as he spoke about the violence.

Sardesai on Tuesday, talking to reporters, had said that his party was willing to go to any extent to protect the interests of Goans and if State government has made a mistake, then the party will weaponise the youth to ensure that Goanness is protected.

The Deputy CM was referring to the issue of exclusion of domicile clause by Goa University while filling up the vacancies for different posts.

“Vijai (Sardesai) wants to weaponise the youth. It is against the cultlure and values of Goa. Goa is about togetherness, Goa is celebrated for its peace loving culture, the tourism is so large here,” Reddy commented.

“When Vijai makes statement like that, it shows that they are trying to create an atmosphere of fear in the State” she said questioning “whom does he want to shoot?”

“His statement about weaponisation is condemnable and Sardesai has to apologise,” he added.