Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar is an Indian politician who is a former member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization based in India. He belongs to the Gomantak Maratha Samaj community from Goa. It was under his leadership, Goa Prant of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was formed.[1][2][3][4]
Subhash Velingkar | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Goa Suraksha Manch |
| Residence(s) | Panaji, Goa, India |
| Education | M.A. |
| Alma mater | Shivaji University |
| Profession | Teacher |
Career
editVelingkar launched Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch an organization which promotes Konkani and Marathi in schools and the withdrawal of grants to English medium schools in the state of the Goa. Velingkar oppose the decision of the Digambar Kamat-led government to provide grants to primary level English schools which was opposed by Manohar Parrikar and other opposition leaders. After Bharatiya Janata Party-Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party alliance emerged victorious in the 2012 Goa Legislative Assembly election, they continued the grants which Velingkar opposed and subsequently dropped from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as the Goa chief due to his decision to float a political party. In protest 400 volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh resigned.[5][6]
On October 2, 2016, Velingkar officially Goa Suraksha Manch but Velingkar neither held any post and did not contest 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election. He contested Panaji, Goa in the by-election in 2019 as a member of the Goa Suraksha Manch and 516 votes only.[7][8][9]
Culture war of "Goencho Saib"
editThe controversy was initiated by Velingkar, the Hindu Raksha Maha Aghadi chief. He stated that Saint Francis Xavier was instrumental in bringing in the Goa Inquisition during colonial rule.[10] "Goencho Saib" can be translated into English from Konkani as, "Goencho" from Goa or Goan origin whereas "Saib" means "partron", thus means Goan Patron for catholic goans. Velingkar continued that, instead of Saint Francis Xavier being known as Goencho Saib, the Hindu sage Parashurama should be known as Goencho Saib. [11][12]
The reaction to this synthetic narrative was swift. Viresh Borkar, newly elected MLA of Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of being involved with Velingkar in creating the controversy. [13] The Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant from the controversy over Saint Francis Xavier, and added, his government is focused on keeping harmony and equality, which is characteristic to Goa. [14]
References
edit- ^ Jog, Sanjay (2 October 2016). "Rebel Goa RSS leader Velingkar launches Goa Suraksha Manch" – via Business Standard.
- ^ "Shiv Sena: Goa Suraksha Manch and Shiv Sena join hands to contest Goa Assembly elections | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Sena joins hands with RSS rebel's outfit to take on BJP in Goa". Press Trust of India. 25 November 2016 – via Business Standard.
- ^ "Goa Suraksha Manch claims it has support of RSS cadre for state polls". 8 November 2016.
- ^ "Rebel RSS leader Subhas Velingkar floats Goa Suraksha Manch party ahead of assembly polls". Firstpost.
- ^ "Goa Assembly election 2017: BJP, Congress, AAP pitted against each other in this coastal state". Firstpost.
- ^ "Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar(Goa Suraksha Manch):Constituency- PANAJI : BYE ELECTION ON 19-05-2019(NORTH GOA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate:". myneta.info.
- ^ "BBSM demands cannot be met due to administrative reasons: Parrikar". oHeraldo.
- ^ "BBSM is making MoI an ego issue: Parrikar". The Navhind Times.
- ^ "Amid Goencho Saib row, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says focused on ."
- ^ "Amid Goencho Saib row, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says focused on ."
- ^ "My saint is better: Heated debate over Parshuram, Francis Xavier's legacy in Goa".
- ^ "Amid Goencho Saib row, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says focused on ."
- ^ "Amid Goencho Saib row, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says focused on ."