Panaji, April 24, 2026: Right-wing speaker and founder of Sanatan Mahasangh, Gautam Khattar, was arrested on Friday in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh for making derogatory remarks against St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa.

The arrest follows a lookout circular (LOC) issued against him by the Goa police. A team from the Goa Crime Branch is expected to take custody of the accused soon and bring him to the state for further interrogation. Earlier, his brother Madhav Khattar was arrested in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, for allegedly drafting the controversial speech.

Pilgrim visitors to the tomb of St. Francis Xavier press candles and rosary beads to the glass in order that they be blessed by the saint. | Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images from 01 January, 1974

Context of the Controversy: The incident occurred during an event on April 18 in Mormugao, where Khattar referred to the 16th-century saint as a “terrorist” and made disparaging claims about the saint’s preserved relics at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. He also questioned the practice of thousands of devotees offering prayers during the saint’s feast.

The remarks sparked widespread outrage and massive protests across Goa, drawing severe condemnation from the Goa Church and leaders across party lines. An FIR was registered at the Vasco police station following a complaint by Congress leader Peter D’Souza, citing attempts to create communal discord and hurting religious sentiments. While the organizers have apologized for the incident, authorities have urged citizens to maintain peace.

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