Congress targets govt over 'Black Coffee' music event

PANAJI

The Congress on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the State government after a 21‑year‑old youth from Indore died mysteriously near the venue of a music event in Anjuna. 

The party alleged serious lapses in law enforcement and demanded a probe into possible drug involvement.

State Congress president Amit Patkar also told reporters in Panaji that another event -- the “Black Coffee” music event -- was attempted without mandatory permissions from the fire department, pollution control board, or the local comunidade. 

“We intervened in time, otherwise the event would have gone ahead illegally,” Patkar said. 

He alleged that ticket sales -- priced at Rs 20,000 each -- amounted to a financial scam, with nearly 3,000 tickets sold despite no licence. 

The party plans to file a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate, he said.

Patkar also criticized the timing of the event on Good Friday, calling it insensitive to Christian sentiments. 

“Organizers knew it was a solemn day, yet they tried to hold a rave. This was an attempt to hurt community feelings,” he said. 

He added that when Congress sought clarification, both the fire and pollution authorities confirmed they had issued no permissions. The local comunidade had initially granted approval but withdrew it on Good Friday evening.

The Congress leader accused government officials of negligence, noting that the deputy collector and deputy superintendent of police were unreachable with their phones switched off. 

“If an accident had occurred, who would have been responsible?” Patkar asked.