PANJIM, May 4 -- The political aftershocks of the controversy surrounding remarks attributed to Gautam Khattar deepened on Sunday, as fresh counter-allegations emerged, with two opposition figures accusing the establishment of weaponising police action to deflect attention from pressing public issues.

Social worker Warren Alemao and former GPCC president Girish Chodankar appeared before the Panjim and Mapusa police stations, respectively, in separate cases accusing them of hurting religious sentiments. Both denied wrongdoing, insisting their remarks had been distorted, and framed the FIRs as part of a broader attempt to shift the narrative.

Speaking after questioning at the Panjim Police Station over a viral video, Alemao said his remar...