Calling his hecklers unwell, Goa minister withdraws complaint

Panaji, June 27 (IANS) Describing the two women who heckled him and "insulted" the national flag on Sunday as "unwell", Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday said that he has instructed his bodyguard to withdraw the complaint against the two.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji on Tuesday, Rane also said that ministers should be ready to accept assaults from members of the public.

"I think they need help, that is not normal behaviour. So when a person requires help, filing a police complaint is a waste of time. The police action may have a backlash on them. It is better to leave them free, no?" Rane said, adding that he had instructed his personal security officer to withdraw the complaint filed by him on Sunday.

Speaking about the conduct of the two women who heckled him at Hospicio hospital in south Goa's Margao town, one of whom is a senior citizen, Rane said: "These ladies require help. What kind of help, that is up to you. I have nothing to do with them."

On Monday, a day after the video of the two women heckling Rane had gone viral, the minister's bodyguard had filed an FIR under sections 352 (assault), 353 (preventing government servant from discharge of duty), 504 (breach of peace), read along with relevant sections of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971.

Rane had on Monday said the two women were planted by the Congress to heckle him.

When asked if withdrawing the complaint would encourage others to attack ministers, Rane said: "Then we will have to take the beating. I thought they would take their footwear and beat me up. I did not know what was happening. Actually I went to help them."