Govt officials refer to Christians in despicable manner, call them 'pig-eaters': Goa MLA

A Goa legislator, Caitu Silva, has accused some government officials and bureaucrats of calling Christians 'pig eaters'. He made this statement in the state assembly on Wednesday. Silva belongs to Goa Vikas Party which is a part of the ruling coalition in the state.

A ruling coalition legislator shocked the Goa Assembly on Thursday when he claimed that some of the government officers in South district called Christians as "pig eaters".

Caitu Silva, a Goa Vikas Party (GVP) legislator from Benaulim constituency in south Goa, was speaking on Wednesday during the motion of thanks on the governor's address during the budget session.

"Some government officials in the hospital speak in such a despicable manner. I feel ashamed to say that some officers have said that the hospital in south (South Goa district) is to only save pig-eaters," Silva said, while criticising the functioning of the health ministry of the BJP-led government, of which the GVP is a coalition partner.

The constituency Benaulim, which Silva represents, is located in the Salcete sub-district in south Goa, which has a high percentage of Christian residents.

Pork is a common part of the diet of Goa's Christian community which accounts for 27% of the state's 1.5 million population.

Silva suggested that Christians were being picked upon by some bureaucrats on account of their dietary preferences

Silva told the state assembly that he was also in a position to identify one such officer, but did not take any name.

"These are the words used by a government officer. These words have been used because Christians eat pork. Officers should not do this. I know who the officer is," Silva said, adding that Goa's Christians "are not in anyone's debt" to be called "pig-eaters".