The organisers of “Tales of Kamasutra & Christmas Celebration” — a 3-day event from December 25 to 28 at Arambol — may have dropped plans after a fierce public outcry, but the development has left a trail of troubling questions, ones that expose systemic gaps in the regulation and oversight of public events. The event, promoted under the banner of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Foundation and facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, ignited controversy because it sought to link tantra and meditation to the Christmas celebration by promoting several “sexual” concepts that are not only in violation of Goa’s social ethos and culture but also hurtful to religious sentiments.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, while stating that linking such explicit and unrelated themes to Christmas is deeply offensive to the faith and sentiments of the community, stressed that freedom of expression carries with it the responsibility to respect the sacred convictions of others. Various groups lodged protests, and police complaints were filed, even as social media went abuzz with people across sections slamming the event. The police acted swiftly, directing the organisers to withdraw the event, while also cautioning them of an FIR over failure to do so.
While the dust may have settled eventually, troubling questions remain in the minds of the Goan populace. First and foremost, how did the event get permissions? The standard process for event approval involves clearances from multiple agencies and departments through an online system. An application submission needs information about the event, including the theme, capacity of participants, site plans, security and other arrangements. Also, the application goes past relevant authorities — Tourism Department, Police, Panchayat or Municipality, Coastal Regulation Zone Management Authority (if the event is on a beach area) and Fire Department. How did the application get past these departments?
This could mean either the authorities bungled in verifying content, or the event organisers manipulated their way by concealing the finer details of the event. We have a serious problem in either case. Lest we forget, coastal North goes gaga over parties on Independence Day and Republic Day, with clubs blatantly advertising dusk-to-dawn parties in open defiance and crude form.
This advertisement circulating on social media made several explicit references to sex, ejaculation, masturbation, and tantric practices, directly linking them to Christmas celebrations. Such content is not only controversial but also deeply offensive, especially when linked to a religious festival revered by millions. Since there is a police complaint lodged and an outcry from people, there should have been an FIR registered immediately, and due process of law followed. FIR was finally registered on Monday evening. Also, the question now is, what happens to those who have already paid to register? The promo of the event explicitly states that the pre-registration amount is not refundable.
The authorities need to clarify on four counts: Whether the organisers misled and did not disclose information or details of the event. Secondly, whether authorities overlooked the finer details of the event. Thirdly, if the organisers advertised without permissions (as done by a prominent EDM promoter)? And, thirdly, whether there was any malicious and deliberate attempt from any quarter to hurt or embarrass the community? We ask this because the minority community has been at the receiving end, having faced such controversies during key religious celebrations in the past. If we may recall, last year, the former State RSS chief was critical of St Francis Xavier, weeks ahead of the Exposition, leading to angry reactions from people.
The police are duty-bound to uphold communal harmony, a crucial ingredient of peace in Goa. Any mischievous attempts to provoke or disturb that harmony must be dealt with an iron hand. The State government must ensure that there is stronger cybercrime coordination, real-time monitoring and a stricter regulatory framework governing online event promotions. Offensive content, such as this, cannot be allowed to proliferate and erode religious respect.
