Cracks in GSM over demand for lifting ban on Muthalik in Goa

A demand raised by the president of Goa Suraksha Manch, floated by a former RSS leader, to lift the ban on Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik's entry in the coastal state has met with opposition from within as a party leader today accused the outfit of playing a "dirty and divisive politics".
The Goa government banned Muthalik's entry in 2015 after the state Home department submitted a report stating that his entry may create law and order problems.
The ban was imposed after Muthalik announced that he would stop 'pub culture' in the tourist state.
Ketan Bhatikar, who unsuccessfully contested the recently-held state Assembly elections on GSM ticket from Panaji constituency, said GSM should introspect after it suffered a "humiliating defeat" in polls.

"It is time that we should introspect and understand where we went wrong during the last election. We should try to learn how to improve in future...It is unfortunate that the party is playing dirty and divisive politics in the state. I am against it," he told reporters while responding to a query on a statement made by GSM president Anand Shirodkar that the ban on Muthalik's entry be lifted.
"Don't assume that there would be law and order problems with the entry of Muthalik in Goa. The ban imposed on him should be lifted. He is a citizen of India and free to travel to any part of the country," Shirodkar told a press conference yesterday.

Bhatikar said he was "shocked" to read Shirodkar's statement in favour of lifting the ban on Muthalik.

He said GSM leaders seem to have deviated from the intended goal of the outfit.
"GSM, which was formed for achieving rightful place for our mother tongue, seems to be talking the language of Goan hatred now," he said.
Bhatikar said Goa had accepted in the past that the ban on the entry of such "anti-social elements was a right move by the state government.
"The images of Sri Ram Sene supporters beating up girls at a Mangalore pub are still fresh in the minds of people," he said, adding, "I feel bad that myown party wakes up now and speaks for Muthalik".

On a statement reportedly made by state minister Vijai Sardesai, whose Goa Forward Party is an ally of the ruling BJP, that a ban will be imposed on VHP if they try to forcibly impose their anti-beef stand in Goa, Bhatikar said there is a serious attempt by Shirodkar to mislead Goan public on beef consumption.
"It must be understood that neither the chief minister nor Sardesai had demanded a blanket ban on VHP. They have only warned that if VHP forcibly implements anti-beef consumption agenda, then it would be banned," he said.
Backing the VHP, Shirodkar had said, "VHP is not a terror organisation. It is an outfit preaching good things and one should not forget that BJP is in power because of RSS and VHP".

GSM was formed by RSS rebel leader and regional language crusader Subhash Velingkar after the previous BJP government refused to withdraw grants to English medium schools. It had contested the state polls held earlier this year in six seats in alliance with the MGP and Shiv Sena.
However, the party failed to make a mark at the hustings by securing only 1.2 per cent of the total votes.