September 21, 2026 02:39 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Goa Deputy CM apologizes for calling India a 'Hindu country'
Panaji, July 28 (IBNS): Goa's Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza on Monday apologized for calling India a 'Hindu nation'.
"When I say Hindu, it means culture and not religion. I have said that Hinduism is my culture not religion then where did the question of religion come from? Hindu culture is 5000 years old and my religion is 2000 years old. Hinduism is my culture and Christianity is my religion," D'Souza said.
"My opinion could be wrong for others. I accept it. I don't say it is the most correct opinion. You might say I am wrong. If anyone's sentiment is hurt, I apologise," he said.
On Friday, D'Souza sparked a controversy by saying, "India is a Hindu nation, it's Hindustan, all Indians in Hindustan are Hindu. I am a Christain Hindu, so there is no question of making it a Hindu nation. It is already a Hindu nation."
This came Goa minister Deepak Dhavalikar on Thursday said, "I am confident that under the leadership of (Narendra) Modiji, India will develop into a Hindu nation. Prime Minister will work in this regard is what I feel."
He made the statement in the state Assembly on Thursday while speaking on a motion congratulating Modi on BJP's electoral victory.
Reacting to Dhavalikar's statement, the Congress party demanded a clarification from the Prime Minister and the Goa Chief Minister on the issue.
"This shows the hidden agenda of the BJP. CM must clarify if he agrees with Dhavalikar's comments. The PM who always tweets on every issue should react to the statement as well," Goa Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat told media.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
IIT Bombay protests erupt after student’s death; authorities meet students over 18 demands
Mon, Sep 21 2026
Baby cockroach crashes cardiologist Ashok Seth’s dinner at Mumbai 5-star; Tukaram Mundhe tagged
Mon, Sep 21 2026
Pune fort murder: Fiancée, lover used fake Instagram account to lure Ketan Agarwal to Lohagad
Sun, Sep 20 2026
Mamata calls Congress 'natural ally' 25 years after giving BJP same tag; her political journey comes full circle
Sun, Sep 20 2026
3 killed, 1 critical as BMW crashes off Mumbai coastal road bridge
Sun, Sep 20 2026