Rahul9090
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2014
- Messages
- 966
- Reaction score
- -1
- Country
- Location
PANAJI: BJP ministers and their allies clearly want all the fun swept away from Goa beaches. Days after a local minister clamored for restricting short skirts, only to be told off by the CM, Union minister of state for tourism and culture, Shripad Naik, on Saturday railed against what he called pub culture, saying it shouldn't be used as a tonic for tourism.
Naik joins a list of ministers in the BJP-led coalition ostensibly trying to protect India's culture. Goa's transport minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar, from the ruling-BJP's ally, the MGP, had recently sought a ban on pub culture in Goa, remarking young girls going to pubs in skirts was against Goan culture. He had also wanted a ban on bikinis on Goa's beaches.
READ ALSO:Girls visiting pubs in short dresses against culture, Goa minister says
Naik, when asked if he was endorsing Dhavalikar's views, said, "I don't know exactly what he (Dhavalikar) had said, but I would say that pub culture should be controlled. Whatever unwanted things are happening there (pubs) should not happen."
He stressed that "what is suitable for our culture, we have to decide". "If we don't divert from pub culture then it will increase and it is not in the interest of the country. We have to promote other branches of tourism," said Naik.
The four-time MP from North Goa was replying to queries from reporters on the sidelines of a refresher course for tourist guides at Dona Paula.
Asked whether he wanted a ban on casinos or to move them out of the River Mandovi, Naik said the casino issue came under the state government and he could not comment on the same without consulting the state government.
On dubious massage parlours mushrooming in Goa, Naik said, "We should not allow massage parlours to misuse their premises for illegal activities and action should be taken against those flouting the rules."
Naik said Goa's Dabolim international airport would be on the top of the list of nine airports selected for the electronic travel authorization (e-Visa), announced by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech. Naik also said 200 guides, well informed about Goa's touristic places, would be certified.
Times View
The Union tourism minister's comments, coming just days after a minister of the state government made similar remarks, suggest that these are not just off-the-cuff observations or the thoughts of just a couple of individuals. They seem to reflect a more widespread mindset of moral policing not restricted to fringe organisations or individuals. On the previous occasion, Goa's CM had asked his minister to explain himself, which seemed to suggest he was distancing himself from the comments. The PM must now clarify that what his minister has said is not government policy. The idea that there is one unique "Indian culture" and that things like pubs, short skirts and alternate sexuality have no place in it must be challenged by civil society, but the government has to play its role in stamping out such moral policing.
Union minister of state for tourism Shripad Naik wants to end ‘pub culture’ - The Times of India
Naik joins a list of ministers in the BJP-led coalition ostensibly trying to protect India's culture. Goa's transport minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar, from the ruling-BJP's ally, the MGP, had recently sought a ban on pub culture in Goa, remarking young girls going to pubs in skirts was against Goan culture. He had also wanted a ban on bikinis on Goa's beaches.
READ ALSO:Girls visiting pubs in short dresses against culture, Goa minister says
Naik, when asked if he was endorsing Dhavalikar's views, said, "I don't know exactly what he (Dhavalikar) had said, but I would say that pub culture should be controlled. Whatever unwanted things are happening there (pubs) should not happen."
He stressed that "what is suitable for our culture, we have to decide". "If we don't divert from pub culture then it will increase and it is not in the interest of the country. We have to promote other branches of tourism," said Naik.
The four-time MP from North Goa was replying to queries from reporters on the sidelines of a refresher course for tourist guides at Dona Paula.
Asked whether he wanted a ban on casinos or to move them out of the River Mandovi, Naik said the casino issue came under the state government and he could not comment on the same without consulting the state government.
On dubious massage parlours mushrooming in Goa, Naik said, "We should not allow massage parlours to misuse their premises for illegal activities and action should be taken against those flouting the rules."
Naik said Goa's Dabolim international airport would be on the top of the list of nine airports selected for the electronic travel authorization (e-Visa), announced by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech. Naik also said 200 guides, well informed about Goa's touristic places, would be certified.
Times View
The Union tourism minister's comments, coming just days after a minister of the state government made similar remarks, suggest that these are not just off-the-cuff observations or the thoughts of just a couple of individuals. They seem to reflect a more widespread mindset of moral policing not restricted to fringe organisations or individuals. On the previous occasion, Goa's CM had asked his minister to explain himself, which seemed to suggest he was distancing himself from the comments. The PM must now clarify that what his minister has said is not government policy. The idea that there is one unique "Indian culture" and that things like pubs, short skirts and alternate sexuality have no place in it must be challenged by civil society, but the government has to play its role in stamping out such moral policing.
Union minister of state for tourism Shripad Naik wants to end ‘pub culture’ - The Times of India
