Subhash Velingkar

Subhash Velingkar
Born
Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar

(1948-10-07) 7 October 1948 (age 78)
Nova Goa, Goa, Portuguese India
EducationShivaji University (M.A.)
Occupations
  • Politician
  • teacher
Organisation
Political party
Goa Suraksha Manch (since 2016)
Spouse
Sushma Velingkar
​
(died 2020)​
remarried
Children4

Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar (born 7 October 1948) is an Indian politician and teacher who is a former member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. He belongs to the Gomantak Maratha Samaj. The Goa wing of the RSS was formed under his leadership.

Career

Velingkar launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch, an organization which promoted Konkani and Marathi in schools and the withdrawal of grants to English medium schools in the state of the Goa. He opposed the decision of then-Chief Minister of Goa Digambar Kamat-led government to provide grants to primary level English schools which was opposed by fellow politician Manohar Parrikar and other opposition leaders. After the Bharatiya Janata Party-Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party alliance won the 2012 Goa Legislative Assembly election, they continued the grants. Velingkar opposed this and subsequently left the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the Goa chief due to his decision to start a political party. In protest, 400 volunteers of the RSS resigned.

On 2 October 2016, Velingkar officially launched Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) but neither held any post and did not contest the 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election. He contested the Panaji Assembly constituency in the by-election in 2019 as a member of the GSM but lost, receiving only 516 votes.

Criticism of St. Francis Xavier

In 2022, Velingkar, as the chief of the Hindu Raksha Maha Aghadi, stated that Saint Francis Xavier was influential in introducing the Goa Inquisition during Portuguese colonial rule. Goan Catholics refer to St. Xavier as "Goencho Saib", the patron saint of Goa. Velingkar stated that the Hindu sage Parashurama deserved the title instead.

References

  1. ↑ Narayan, Tara (25 June 2021). "Down Memory Lane with SUBHASH VELINGKAR, A MAN MUCH WRONGED!". Goan Observer. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  2. ↑ Jog, Sanjay (2 October 2016). "Rebel Goa RSS leader Velingkar launches Goa Suraksha Manch" – via Business Standard.
  3. ↑ "Shiv Sena: Goa Suraksha Manch and Shiv Sena join hands to contest Goa Assembly elections | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  4. ↑ "Sena joins hands with RSS rebel's outfit to take on BJP in Goa". Press Trust of India. 25 November 2016 – via Business Standard.
  5. ↑ "Goa Suraksha Manch claims it has support of RSS cadre for state polls". 8 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Rebel RSS leader Subhas Velingkar floats Goa Suraksha Manch party ahead of assembly polls". Firstpost.
  7. ↑ "Goa Assembly election 2017: BJP, Congress, AAP pitted against each other in this coastal state". Firstpost.
  8. ↑ "Subhash Bhaskar Velingkar(Goa Suraksha Manch):Constituency- PANAJI : BYE ELECTION ON 19-05-2019(NORTH GOA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate:". myneta.info.
  9. ↑ "BBSM demands cannot be met due to administrative reasons: Parrikar". oHeraldo.
  10. ↑ "BBSM is making MoI an ego issue: Parrikar". The Navhind Times.
  11. ↑ "Amid Goencho Saib row, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says focused on harmony, equality". The Times of India. 5 May 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  12. ↑ "My saint is better: Heated debate over Parshuram, Francis Xavier's legacy in Goa". Deccan Herald. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2026.