the goan I network
VASCO
On a day when Tourism Minister Babu Ajgaonkar suggested two Sunburn EDMs in Goa, the BJP appeared divided on the event after former minister and BJP leader Rajendra Arlekar questioned whether Goa needed EDMs like Sunburn to promote tourism in the State.
In a major difference of opinion with Ajgaonkar, senior BJP leader and former Minister Rajendra Arlekar told reporters at his office on Monday morning that EDMs should not even be termed as “festivals”.
“EDMs like this are simply events but are termed festivals. They should not be promoted nor conducted because our Goan culture is not highlighted. On the contrary, Goa gets defamed for conducting such events as it creates an image depicting Goa as synonymous with such events,” said Arlekar.
“It is necessary to have a re-think on conducting such events in Goa. We have many other options to explore to promote tourism in Goa through the tourism department,” said Arlekar.
Earlier in a tweet on Monday morning, Arlekar had stated: “Do we really need events like Sunburn to promote tourism? Can we not redefine our priorities in this sector?”
Commenting on recent deaths of three people who had arrived to attend the Sunburn EDM festival in Goa, Arkekar said the police must thoroughly investigate the incidents.
“Police must definitely investigate the matter and probe the reason for the deaths of three youth who had arrived to attend the event.”
“Besides the police, the public must also be alert on the issue of drugs. It is essential that people are vigilant and ensure there is no scope for drugs anywhere in Goa,” said Arlekar.
The three-day EDM festival concluded on Sunday with Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar claiming that such events must be held twice a year, once in South Goa.
Stating that Sunburn had generated Rs 250 crore to the State government, Ajgaonkar had ruled out the sale of drugs at the three-day music festival.
However, Sunburn also sparked off controversy after the death of three youth who had attended the event at Vagator beach.
Two tourists from Andhra Pradesh had collapsed while waiting in a queue for entry passes to Sunburn just outside the venue and later died, while a tourist from Bangalore died on Sunday after complaining of uneasiness at the EDM festival.
