The simmering controversy over Nigerians and their alleged “ïllegal activities in Goa” took yet another turn on Tuesday with the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party saying that Goans do not want them because of their “rough attitude” and “bad behaviour”.
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, Ravi Naik, used a social slur and sought a ban on Nigerians entering India and demanded that students staying illegally be screened for documents and deported immediately.
On the sidelines of a press conference here, Mr. Naik, who himself was at the receiving end when he was Home Minister during the Congress government for his inability to tackle the drug menace, said that the State did not need Nigerian tourists. “Nigerians come here and do ‘dadagiri’ in Delhi, Bengaluru and the entire country. We should move Nigerians out of here… Have they come here to study? Are they really studying? Are they really going to college, schools? This has to be probed. It is very important,” Mr. Naik said. In another press conference, BJP spokesperson and MLA, Kiran Kandolkar, while demanding an apology from Mr. Naik for using the racial slur, wanted to know why he did not ban Nigerians when he was Home Minister in the previous government.
However, he also added, “Goans do not want Nigerians, because they riot, have a rough attitude and bad behaviour.” Mr. Kandolkar is an MLA from the coastal belt, which is notorious for drug trade.
While to some extent Mr. Kandolkar concurred with Mr. Naik that some Nigerians have been creating problems, he did not want to blame any nationality.
“We know Nigerians are involved in nefarious activities here. We accept it. But that doesn't mean I can make a statement seeking ban on them while being part of the government,” Mr. Kandolkar said.