What is more important Mr.CM; Successful Exposition of SFX relics or Sunburn EDM?
There is nothing "private" about Sunburn EDM, when state deploys 1,000+ policemen for the festival; at the expense of Goans.
The U Turn of Mr.Harindar Singh of Percept, with his decision to hold the Sunburn EDM Festival again at Goa; after resolving last year, never to come back ; due to severe backlash from ordinary common Goans, has stirred up Goa, again.
Percept has already started selling early birds tickets of the festival, with a curt mention that it would be held in South Goa, this time.
Last year in December, Sunburn organisers faced a very stiff opposition from the locals of Siolim Constituency, specially Anjuna and Vagator; and the organisers were forced to curtail the EDM Festival from 4 to 3 days.
Even the local MLA intervened on behalf of people and then CM had to instruct the organisers to shorten the festival duration. Seems like Mr.CM has forgotten it.
The ruling dispensation of BJP, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, takes a lot of pride and often invokes Lord Parshuram and Lord Shivaji; whenever it serves their purpose, talking about Goan Asmita (Soul); but when it comes to crux, such as Sunburn EDM Festival, there is no such alacrity in invoking the Lords and their permission or blessings, and all is forgotten.
Lords are invoked as per the convenience, and as long as it serves their purpose.
Would Lord Parshuram and Lord Shivaji, would have wanted the Sunburn to continue in Goa; in their pious land which they graced once?
The answer is very simple, but the question would be discarded; despite having a Godman MLA part of ruling government, from Margao, who speaks directly to God!
What does the God says, Mr.Margao MLA?
The Chief Minister of Goa has vaguely referred that, the organisers have sought permission and the government is mulling over it. Sans any permission, the ticket sales continue.
Ironically, CM Goa has termed Sunburn as "private festival" and expressed surprise, that why the Goans are making so much fuss over it?
The very fact that this same Government, deployed more than 1,000 Goa Police personnel last year for the safety of the festival (15% of total strength) makes his term of "private festival" as utterly laughable.
Take the daily salary of those 1,000 police personnel, multiply it with 3 and add up the material costs; and you can come to know the quantum of "privateness" of the festival. Was this sum recovered from the Organisers? Obviously not. Then whom the Government of Goa is fooling?
Let's come to Festival itself and the events surrounding it.
Besides the main event, which shuts down at 2200 hrs; the real game begins with gazillions of "After Party" being held at almost all notable pubs and bars, which continue all night.
Since the festival would be held at South Goa (let's presume it for now); and almost all of the "known" party places in North Goa coastal belt; it can be easily assumed that, there would be a humongous amount of traffic, from South to North and back.
And if you assume that all those people would be sane and in their senses, without consuming either alcohol or other psychotropic substances, then you should get your sanity checked at GMCH Bambolim.
When the festival was held at Vagator, the revellers did not have to travel long distance for "After Party"; slow moving, almost jammed traffic, ensured that nothing untoward accidents happened.
Now imagine, thousands of revellers, zooming from South Goa to North and then back, high on EDM Sunburn and a lot of other stuff.
The current state of road safety in Goa, is just a query away; specially in South. While most of the tourists are accustomed to ways of North; they are clueless about the ways of South. Add alcohol to it, and then one has a perfect concotion for multiple diaster.
What is most bewildering is the fact that the exposition of Saint Francis Xavier, who is fondly revered as "Goencho Saib" is to take place from 21st November 2024 to 5th January 2025; when millions of devotees and worshippers are expected to pay a visit to Old Goa Basilica. In fact, Chief Minister himself has been trying to get His Holiness Pope to visit Goa, during this interval.
https://www.heraldgoa.in/News-Today/Goas-Archbishop-Announces-Exposition-of-St-Francis-Xaviers-Relics-from-Nov-21-2024-to-Jan-5-2025-Inviting-Spiritual-Preparations-and-Pilgrimages/214659
In fact, Chief Minister has asked for a grant of Rs.300 Crores from the Central Government for the sacred event, which is held every 10 years.
How, already beleaguered Goa Police would be able to handle both the exposition and the Sunburn together, is anybody's idea.
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Sawant-hopeful-Pope-Francis-will-attend-SFX-Exposition/223495
What is more important for the "Goan Asmita", the safe and successful culmination of the SFX exposition or organising Sunburn EDM Festival?
Deploying 1,000 plus Police personnel for the safety of event is not a "private festival".
When people of Goa across the party lines, caste and religion; are opposing the festival, it's not a "private" thing anymore.
How does the Sunburn EDM and Exposition of SFX relics mix and match together, is something which Chief Minister has to answer.
Thanks for this post. 1000 cops is crazy. The Goa Government should focus on sustainable development, not poor quality EDM fests with a short-term vision.