Prof. Subhash Velingkar from Goa : Consistently fighting for the protection of Hindutva

There is hardly anyone in Goa who does not know Prof. Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar, one whose life has been moulded by the idealism and integrity of Sangh values, and who has dedicated himself entirely to the protection of Hindutva, linguistic pride, Hindu culture, and the Marathi language.

A renowned educationist, Prof. Velingkar has played a key role in expanding the work of the RSS in Goa. Under his leadership, a State-wide agitation was launched against the Government through the organisation Bhartiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch. The demand : To grant Government aid only to Marathi and Konkani medium primary schools, and withdraw aid from English-medium institutions.

He had to face enormous opposition even from within his own circles during this time, yet he persevered and carried the movement forward with unflinching resolve. Later, to further advocate for education in mother tongues, he founded a political party named Goa Suraksha Manch to raise public awareness on the issue. Prof. Velingkar is now actively working to unite various Hindu organisations in Goa.

Prof. Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar

Special Column

The sacrifice of the soldiers and generals for the Hindavi Swarajya as envisaged by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is supreme. Similarly, in the present times, many devout Hindus and patriotic citizens of this country have been striving to protect the Nation & Dharma.

The ‘Hindutva Warriors’ is a series of Articles that sheds light on their lives and struggles to protect Hindu Dharma. We hope that this serves as a catalyst for the mission of establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and inspires many others. – Editor

1. The bitter experience with Christians and Police following the demand for DNA testing of Francis Xavier’s remains

In November 2024, I made a constitutionally valid demand in Goa for a DNA test to be conducted on the remains of Francis Xavier kept in Old Goa, an appeal similar to one made earlier in Sri Lanka. Francis Xavier was sent to Goa by the Portuguese to strengthen their colonial regime and to expedite the forced conversions of Hindus. He was a loyal agent of the Portuguese Empire.

Multiple references suggest that the remains preserved in Old Goa are not even Xavier’s, and that the body has been replaced three times. Despite this, the Goa Government continues to squander public funds annually on the exhibition of these remains. This glorification, conducted with the taxpayers’ money at the behest of a foreign oppressor, is nothing but an effort to push Goans deeper into a state of cultural disloyalty. Until these remains are sent to Rome or Portugal, this movement shall continue. A similar campaign has also been launched in Mangalore by Robert Rosario.

After I made this demand, certain political leaders instigated violent protests in Margao and took the law into their own hands. Christians filed Police complaints across Goa demanding my arrest. Under their pressure, a non-bailable offence was registered against me. The Police launched a manhunt and placed my home under surveillance. My friends and sons were harassed. Two special Police teams were even dispatched to Maharashtra in search of me. A climate of fear and intimidation was deliberately created.

After a lower Court rejected my anticipatory bail application, I approached the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court. Since I had never refused to cooperate with the investigation, the Court held that there was no need to take me into custody and hence no question of denying bail arose. Once the judgment was delivered, I appeared at the Police station for questioning.

Given my lack of trust in the Police and the administration, I remained underground for six days until the High Court’s decision was pronounced. During this period, Goa Police, in a midnight raid without a search warrant, stormed the house of a respectable family in Dodamarg with a posse of 40 officers, an act that would have embarrassed even the Portuguese. This show of force, as if I were a dreaded terrorist, was orchestrated by a Police force acting under Christian pressure.

At the same time, hundreds of abusive videos targeting me and my family were circulated by certain Christian political leaders. As usual, a few ‘secular’ and ‘anti-Hindutva’ Hindus also joined the chorus.

2. Marathi identity can be protected only if Marathi lovers become a decisive vote bank

Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Samiti has now been established to secure official language status for Marathi in Goa. In truth, Marathi is not just a language, it is an embodiment of Goa’s Indian identity and Hindu culture. It is no longer enough to merely wear the label of ‘Marathi lover’. If Marathi is to be made the official language, Marathi lovers must transform into a formidable ‘Marathi vote bank’. To achieve this, all scattered factions mired in personal egos and petty rivalries must unite. We need to build a strong cadre of committed volunteers right down to the Gram Panchayat level. One must not forget that if Marathi survives in Goa, only then will Hindu culture and national consciousness survive. This is our final and decisive battle, a do-or-die moment.

Today’s dormant Marathi sympathisers must be mobilised and brought into a mindset of street-level activism. The neglected and long-overlooked Marathi movement must be connected to the younger generation and to a vast force of women as well.

3. Growing separatism and cultural de-nationalisation in Goa, alarming signs of fragmentation

Despite being aware of their activities, the Government has taken no concrete action against active members of the Popular Front of India (PFI), an organisation banned by the Centre. Following directives from the Union Government, local Police merely summoned them perfunctorily and released them. Videos have surfaced showing some of them holding covert meetings abroad with terrorist preacher Zakir Naik.

The political patronage extended to such elements poses a severe threat to Hindus in Goa. The ancient, desecrated Shri Vijayadurga Temple at Sankhval has now been declared a protected ‘heritage site’. Yet, the illegal encroachments being carried out under Church control on this land, while receiving Government support, highlight the ominous fate of heritage sites in Goa. This is nothing short of cultural predation.

The rapid closure of Marathi-medium Government primary schools over the past 12 years and the Government’s inexcusable indifference is disturbing. These schools were centres for preserving and nurturing our culture. The increasing political bribery of society through handouts and concessions reflects the corrosion of our collective mental health.

The Anglicisation of education and the Government’s inconsistent language policy will affect Goa’s cultural future.

4. The consequences of deliberate attempts to tarnish the image of Devbhumi Goa

Goa, known from ancient times as a serene, cultured, and sattvik land of merit (Punyabhumi), is now being systematically tarnished. It is being turned into a hub of casinos, gambling, prostitution, and narcotics. These dire transformations will only worsen with time, and future generations will have to bear the burden of this degradation. To counter this, social awareness, restoration of moral and social health, and providing the next generation with worthy role models will be essential. The intelligent use of social media can play an impactful role in achieving these goals.

5. Organised resistance to recurring anti-national developments in Goa

A. Protesting the installation of a statue of Portuguese poet Luís de Camões : In 1980, plans were made in Goa to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the death of Luís de Camões, who referred to Indians as ‘animals’. Freedom fighters opposed this plan. As Sangh workers, we joined the agitation. A statue of Camões, erected during the Portuguese era in a prominent part of the courtyard of the Old Goa Church, became the centre of this resistance.

One night, an unidentified person made an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the statue using gelatine. Alarmed by the rising opposition, the Government was forced to relocate the statue from Old Goa to a museum warehouse. I led the protest march to the Vasco residence of Froilano Machado, the then Chairman of the Government Committee behind this centenary plan. Without much publicity, the then Congress Government had to abandon this unholy project in silence.

B. Forcing the cancellation of the 500th Anniversary celebration of Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India : In 1997, the Congress Government in Goa and the Central Government under Prime Minister I.K. Gujral decided to mark the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India with grand festivities. A successful agitation was launched by the Deshpremi Nagarik Samiti, formed under the leadership of Advocate Joaquim Dias. I was assigned the responsibility of the ‘Action and Awareness Department’ for this agitation.

As a result, the State and Central Governments were compelled to roll back their decision. For my work during this movement, I was honoured with the prestigious Swatantrya Senani Atmaram Mayekar Puraskar by the Swatantrya Senani Navjeevan Society in 1997-98.

C. Campaign to rename Vasco da Gama city : Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese pirate, has Goa’s most populated city and a major port named after him. In 1998, I led the State-level agitation launched by the Deshpremi Nagarik Samiti demanding the renaming of this city.

D. Active engagement with nationalist and Hindu-heritage-minded Christians in Cortalim : A memorial was constructed at Cortalim–Salcete in honour of 16 Hindu ancestors who martyred themselves in Goa’s freedom struggle against Portuguese rule. I’ve maintained contact with patriotic Prof. (Dr) Verissimo Coutinho, who initiated this memorial in 1999.

Working with the principle of ‘shared ancestors, shared history, and shared nationality’, I collaborated with Oscar Martins (Memorial Committee President) and Advocate Levinson Martins. On behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, I arranged a meeting of Param Pujya Sarsanghchalak Sudarshanji with around 50 prominent nationalist Christian citizens. Following this, I was conferred the Kunkalli Mitra award by the citizens of Cortalim.

(Ref.: SanatanPrabhat.org)

The Anglicisation of education and the Government’s inconsistent language policy will affect Goa’s cultural future !