The Crossbill News Desk
Prominent Goan writer and Sahitya Akademi awardee Datta Damodar Naik, 70, has been booked by the police on charges of hurting religious sentiments.
The action follows complaints regarding comments he made in a recent interview where he referred to temple priests as "looters."
Naik, a staunch atheist and businessman, has defended his remarks, asserting his right to free expression.
Complaints and Allegations
The controversy arose after Naik's interview with a regional news channel, during which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in South Goa. Satish Bhat filed a complaint at Canacona police station, accusing Naik of insulting religious sentiments and disrespecting cultural traditions.
Another complaint was lodged at Panaji police station by Jayesh Thali of the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh and Religious Institutions Federation.
Thali's complaint described Naik's comments as offensive and capable of inciting social unrest. The complaints claim that Naik’s statements branding priests and religious institutions as “looters” amount to a deliberate attempt to outrage religious feelings.
The police have registered an FIR under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to insult religious beliefs, and an investigation is underway.
Naik's Response
Reacting to the complaints, Naik clarified that his remarks were aimed at questioning the financial practices of temples and their priests.
“I am a staunch atheist and I have been in public life for several years. At a recent even I said that temple priests looted money from people. Later, I clarified that I meant to say they ‘extracted’ money. It is true, temples are extracting money. I questioned what was built with this money? Have they built any schools, hospitals? Where is all this money going?” he told The Indian Express.
Unfazed by the legal action, Naik maintained his stance. “I do not know whether it has been converted to an FIR. Anyway, I am not scared. What will they do? Arrest me? I have the freedom to express my opinion and I am not afraid. What about my sentiments as an atheist? The space for rational thinking and dialogue is shrinking,” he added.
Datta Damodar Naik is a respected writer in Konkani, Marathi, and English. In 2006, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his Konkani essay collection Jai Kai Jui. A proponent of rationalist thought, Naik founded the Samata Andolan in the early 1990s, a group dedicated to promoting rationalist ideals across Goa.
The incident has sparked debates on the balance between freedom of speech and religious sensitivities, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by public intellectuals in a polarized environment.
The action follows complaints regarding comments he made in a recent interview where he referred to temple priests as "looters."
Naik, a staunch atheist and businessman, has defended his remarks, asserting his right to free expression.
Complaints and Allegations
The controversy arose after Naik's interview with a regional news channel, during which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in South Goa. Satish Bhat filed a complaint at Canacona police station, accusing Naik of insulting religious sentiments and disrespecting cultural traditions.
Another complaint was lodged at Panaji police station by Jayesh Thali of the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh and Religious Institutions Federation.
Thali's complaint described Naik's comments as offensive and capable of inciting social unrest. The complaints claim that Naik’s statements branding priests and religious institutions as “looters” amount to a deliberate attempt to outrage religious feelings.
The police have registered an FIR under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to insult religious beliefs, and an investigation is underway.
Naik's Response
Reacting to the complaints, Naik clarified that his remarks were aimed at questioning the financial practices of temples and their priests.
“I am a staunch atheist and I have been in public life for several years. At a recent even I said that temple priests looted money from people. Later, I clarified that I meant to say they ‘extracted’ money. It is true, temples are extracting money. I questioned what was built with this money? Have they built any schools, hospitals? Where is all this money going?” he told The Indian Express.
Unfazed by the legal action, Naik maintained his stance. “I do not know whether it has been converted to an FIR. Anyway, I am not scared. What will they do? Arrest me? I have the freedom to express my opinion and I am not afraid. What about my sentiments as an atheist? The space for rational thinking and dialogue is shrinking,” he added.
Datta Damodar Naik is a respected writer in Konkani, Marathi, and English. In 2006, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his Konkani essay collection Jai Kai Jui. A proponent of rationalist thought, Naik founded the Samata Andolan in the early 1990s, a group dedicated to promoting rationalist ideals across Goa.
The incident has sparked debates on the balance between freedom of speech and religious sensitivities, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by public intellectuals in a polarized environment.
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