On Sunday, August 27, Goa Congress member, Girish Chodankar, speaking with GoaChronicle, regarding the issue of another alleged sex scandal in the political circle of the state of Goa, said that his motive is to protect the dignity of the woman. He stated, ‘I never named anyone. The Goa Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, should investigate the matter, and sack the minister involved in the matter.’
Dear @PMOIndia @goacm @BJP4India – Who is this another #GoaCabinet minister of @bjp4goa involved in SEX SCANDAL?#BetiPadaoBetiBadao #Betikosurakshadedo pic.twitter.com/fmMbrdnhJd
— Girish Chodankar (@girishgoa) August 26, 2023
It was on Saturday, August 26, that Chodankar took to X, formerly Twitter, and posted a news piece, which stated that news of a Goa cabinet minister being involved in a sex scandal is spreading like wildfire. It was mentioned that a ‘powerful’ minister allegedly lured a young lady panch to his farmhouse in North Goa, after a late-night birthday party at a beach resort.
It was stated in the news piece uploaded by Chodankar that on realizing that his wife was missing, the husband of the lady was apprised by his friends that ‘sir’ had taken her, following which the husband rushed to the farm house and forcefully got in, only to see ‘sir’ in a compromising position with his wife. After this, politician called up the cops and the latter locked the husband up, but did not file a complaint against him, as directed by the Goa cabinet minister, who now feared bad publicity and losing his cabinet berth.
The piece further mentions that sources close to the ruling party, the BJP, have said that the matter has been reported to the top bosses in Delhi, as the same can damage the party prospects in the Lok Sabha polls.
It was pertaining to this matter that Chodankar, on Saturday, asked on X, tagging PM Modi, Goa CM, Dr Pramod Sawant, and the official handle of the BJP, ‘Who is this another Goa cabinet minister of the Goa BJP involved in a sex scandal?’
Speaking about the same with GoaChronicle on Sunday, Chodankar said, ‘The moot question raised by me was for the Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Goa and the police department to inquire and state as to who this senior minister involved in the sex scandal is. Which demand, I still reiterate, and seek an independent investigation in this regard. I never named the minister involved in sex scandal nor the woman victim.’
The Goa Congress member further expressed, ‘It is very unfortunate that instead of inquiring and naming the politician, certain elements, I believe, have used this to their advantage, and have forwarded posts tagging a lady whom I never named and whom I don’t know. These acts are totally uncalled for, and condemned in all ways by me.’
‘It is totally unacceptable if women are sexually abused, or if they are tortured by defamation by such posts, and is against the very values and principles I have been born and brought up with. I demand another inquiry in the role of those who have used her photos, demeaning her, and disrespecting her, and such acts need to be probed and investigated to know the truth.’, he further added.
Chodankar then stated, ‘I believe that we should not post such posts and photos which would affect someone’s personal life and liberty; but the person who is a minister should not take advantage of his powers and position to use a woman and destroy her family life. Social media is a powerful platform to know the truth and for justice, but we must use it for spreading the truth and not rumours to damage anyone’s reputation.’
Speaking on his tweet, he said, ‘The aim of my post was to ensure that the senior politician’s positions stand exposed for misusing his power and misusing a woman to his advantage. In my post, there were never any men or woman named in individual capacity, nor was any photo posted, nor was there any remark of disrespect to any woman. The manner in which my post was attached to certain photos is beyond anyone’s control.’
‘CM Dr Pramod Sawant, who is also the Home Minister, would definitely know the facts through the police department. I again strongly request Chief Minister Dr. Sawant, to investigate into the entire matter to know the truth.’, Chodankar told GoaChronicle.
