PANAJI
A response to the Curchorem sex scandal has sparked strong public criticism, with Goa BJP President Damu Naik facing backlash over remarks seen as favouring the accused’s family over the victims.
Asked whether Councillor Sushant Naik should resign in light of the case, in which his son Soham is charged with a serious offence, the party president told the media, “parents are often unaware of what their children do,” and called for empathy towards “the mental condition of the parents at this time,” insisting his comments were not political.
The remarks drew immediate and sharp reactions online, with many questioning the lack of empathy for those allegedly subjected to abuse. Jublejoe wrote: “Mental state of the parents!! Should the public laugh or cry on this statement??? He does not seem bothered about the mental state of the girls and their parents who endured it for 3 years!!!”
“What about the mental state of all the victims and their parents??” another social media user Joan_Fdes asked.
Several posts alleged protection and influence. One user, Gurav_anup, claimed, “He was born with silver spoon and BJP’s goondas and police support… that’s how he was untouchable for the last 2 years,” while another user, trojan.exe., wrote, “What about mental state of victims? Culprit parents’ mental state is priority?”
Others questioned whether ignorance could explain the situation. “If his parents don’t know anything, how did he get support to do such things… he cannot remain for long time,” wrote Kirteei.
Criticism also extended to governance, with some social media users alleging that crime has political backing. “Criminals roam freely while BJP looks the other way,” wrote trevor_pereira, while wilfred_gomes said, “BJP has completely destroyed Goa’s sense of safety.” Another user, albert_barreto, added: “This government has turned a peaceful state into a crime headline.”
Amid the outrage, women’s rights activist Sabina Martins urged caution, stating that responsibility lies with all parents, whether of victims or the accused, to ensure such incidents are prevented. She emphasised that the investigation is ongoing and warned against drawing conclusions too early.
However, a senior child protection member blamed parental negligence for the minor’s actions, even as the matter remains under investigation. “The boy at this age driving big cars and spending money for various alleged illegal activities are a sign of bad parenting. From what has been known to the public, he is a spoilt and over-pampered child and the parents should be accountable for his activities,” the social worker said.
