Goa, April 20 -- South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes has strongly condemned the recent remarks allegedly insulting St. Francis Xavier, stating that they have hurt the sentiments of devotees across the globe.

Fernandes claimed that there have been two separate incidents involving leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party-one in Vasco da Gama, where BJP MLAs and a minister were present, and another in Panaji, attended by the party's state president and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

Alleging a "systematic pattern," Fernandes accused the BJP of attempting to divert attention from governance issues by creating divisions among people. He asserted that such efforts would not succeed, emphasizing that Goa has long been a symbol of communal harmony.

The...