PANAJI
Some organisers of the festival feel that the mood of the participants will not be affected while some are of the opinion that since alcohol is part of some Goan festival, the ban on liquor on the feast day of Sao Joao will surely dampen their spirits.
“Sao Joao baptised Jesus Christ with water and never indulged in food, drinks etc. This (liquor ban) will not affect the true Christian,” expresses Blair Rodrigues, ex- member, Parish Priest Committee (PPC) at Carmona Church in South Goa where Sao Joao is celebrated in the traditional manner in the church and a ritual of jumping into the wells or water bodies is not followed.
People gather at the church at 10 am for mass and then they visit the PPC president’s home who bears all the expenses of the party celebrations. With the sale of alcohol being prohibited on June 24, most people will be affected by the dry day observance,” feels Kabir Pinto Makhija, ex-Deputy Mayor, Corporation of the City of Panaji.
“The feast of San Joao de Baptist, with respect to the Catholic religion has no relation with the consumption of alcohol at all. But as far as revelry is concerned, it goes without saying that no festival in Goa is celebrated without alcohol. Thus the dry day on account of panchayat elections will surely dampen the spirits of the revellers. The chief minister’s statement that only sale is banned on a dry day, and not consumption, is quite misguiding. Will mass public consumption of alcohol be permitted, as in the traditional events on that day? Or are the revellers supposed to sit at home with a glass and say O Re Sanajoao!” asks Savio Coutinho, ex-Chairperson, of MMC .
Over the years the old traditions are being forgotten and lost, adding newer forms of entertainment to the festival.
