No more fun in Goa?

Hindutva or cultural nationalism presents the BJP’s conception of Indian nationhood. No more fun on Goa’s beaches. This seems to be the intention of India’s BJP ministers and their allies. Critics say they 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.