Panaji, Nov 17 (IANS) The Goa unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday demanded the removal of state police chief Bhimsain Bassi for likening visiting casinos to visiting temples and churches.
Speaking at a press conference here, Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar said that Bassi’s comments during an interaction with the media Monday were “insensitive, irresponsible and unbecoming”.

“The DGP (director general of police) should apologise to the state. His statement is insulting to the sentiments of the people. We are demanding his removal as DGP of Goa,” Parrikar said, adding that Bassi’s statement was more offensive in nature than the act of senior police officials gambling onboard casinos.

Bassi had likened visiting casinos to visiting temples and churches, while justifying the controversial partying by seven senior police officials, including four superintendents of police aboard an offshore casino last Thursday night.

“Offshore casinos are not illegal in Goa. What is the problem with police officers going to offshore casinos when they are not on duty? Many people go to temples, churches, or on fishing trips… I cannot do anything about it unless casinos are illegal,” Bassi had said.

The officers partying onboard offshore casino vessel MV Casino Royale had created a stir, after they locked themselves up in a bar room to avoid a media contingent who were invited on board for a press conference.

The BJP has also demanded a full fledged enquiry into the presence of senior police officials on the casino.

“The casino’s CCTV footage should also be viewed during the enquiry. It is not only morally wrong for the police to go to casino, even the government servants’ code of conducts prohibits them from gambling in public places,” Parrikar said.