A row recently erupted over the alleged ‘derogatory’ remarks by YouTuber Gautam Khattar against 16th-century Hindu-hating Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier. Many Christian organisations in Goa demanded Khattar’s arrest, and an FIR has been filed against him. On social media, several Christians outraged against Khattar resorted to abusing Hindu deities. In response, local Hindu activists have filed a complaint against two such individuals with the Goa Police.
On 23rd April, a group of Hindu activists arrived at the Mapusa Police Station and submitted a complaint against several Christian individuals for making derogatory comments about Hindu deities and hurting religious sentiments. The complaint named two individuals identified as Babit Fernandes and Elesban Mark Mascarenhas.
The complaint attached screenshots of the offensive comments made by the accused on social media against Hindu gods.
“We (Name), residing at Mapusa, wish to bring to your notice that certain individuals have posted highly objectionable, abusive, and derogatory comments on a social media platform (Facebook) on or around the date 21/04/2026. As per the attached screenshots, the following individuals are seen making offensive remarks: Babit Fernandes and Elesban Mark Mascarenhas,” the complaint reads.
“The said comments contain insulting and offensive references to revered figures of the Hindu religion, including Lord Ram, Sita, and Parshuram. Such remarks are deeply hurtful to the religious sentiments of the Hindu community and have the potential to disturb communal harmony and public order,” the complaint adds.
The complainants Jayesh Thali, Uday, Omkar Naik, Vinod, Yashwant and one other contended that the blasphemous comments by the Christian duo “attract offences under the following provisions of the Indian Penal Code: Section 295A – Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings. Section 153A – Promoting enmity between different groups. Section 504-Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace. Section 505(2) – Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred, or ill-will between communities.”
Hindu activists urged the police to identify and verify the named individuals, take appropriate legal action against them, and ensure removal of such offensive content from the platform.
As reported earlier, a controversy erupted last week after a YouTuber and Arya Samaj follower, Gautam Khattar, allegedly called 16th-century Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier a “terrorist” during he Sanatan Dharm Raksha Samiti’s Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti celebrations on 18th April.
Gautam Khattar allegedly described Francis Xavier as a “terrorist, barbaric, cruel ruler” who spent his life converting Hindus to Christianity. He is also accused of making ‘derogatory’ remarks about Francis Xavier’s remains in a casket revered as ‘sacred’ relics.
A video of the incident went viral online, sparking protests, condemnation and demands for Gautam Khattar’s arrest. While Gautam remains at large, his brother Madhav Khattar was arrested on Thursday from Uttarakhand’s Haridwar. It is claimed that Madhav prepared Gautam’s speech.
