PANAJI
The controversy surrounding the event titled “Tales of Kamasutra & Christmas Celebration” has not deterred the organizers from continuing with the bookings, as it appears they remain committed to hosting the event.
Communications of enthusiasts with organising members, which are shared with The Goan, indicate that the police assurance of stalling the event is hollow. The organisers have been asking for advance payments to reserve slots or to add members to the group.
For example, a group of six people, who sought to book a slot for the event, were asked to deposit a reservation amount of Rs 10,000.
Promoted online and slated for December 25-28, the event has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups, who argue that it is “promiscuous” and tarnishes Goa’s image as a family-friendly tourist destination.
Goa Police on Sunday announced that they had directed the organisers to cancel the event and remove all related advertisements from social media platforms.
Top police officials also said police stations across the State have been instructed to remain vigilant about upcoming programmes in their jurisdictions to prevent similar controversies.
“We have taken cognisance of the complaints and stopped the organisers from going ahead,” a senior officer confirmed.
The police action followed formal complaints filed by several organisations, including the Goa Women’s Forum (GWF), Bailancho Ekvott, and NGO ARZ.
These groups argued in their complaints that the event would promote sex tourism and tarnish Goa’s image as a safe destination for families.
They also alleged that the organisers, operating under the name Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Foundation, were charging participants exorbitant fees for accommodation and food.
Activists have said that the controversy highlights a growing challenge in regulating events promoted through digital platforms.
“Even if police issue orders, organisers can continue to operate online, targeting international audiences,” one activist said and demanded stricter monitoring of online promotions and stronger coordination between State agencies and cybercrime units.
With Christmas week drawing near, authorities are under pressure to ensure that the contentious programme does not proceed. For now, police insist the event has been blocked, but doubts remain as long as online registrations appear to continue.
Church slams ‘inappropriate’ Christmas advt
In a strongly worded statement Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, head of the influential Catholic Church in Goa, condemned the inappropriate advertisement circulating on social media.
In the statement released to the media by Fr Barry Richards, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, on Sunday, Ferrao said: “It is with deep anguish and profound hurt that the Church in Goa addresses the recent advertisement on social media, which irresponsibly associates the sacred celebration of Christmas with explicit and unrelated themes.”
He reminded that “Christmas is a holy time for Christians across the world -- a season of joy, peace, and the remembrance of God’s love made manifest in the birth of Jesus Christ.”
To link this sacred occasion to unrelated themes, he added, was “deeply offensive to the faith and sentiments of millions.”
Ferrao urged the promoters to “withdraw the content immediately” and called on authorities to “make necessary enquiries into this event.”
He stressed that “freedom of expression carries with it the responsibility to respect the sacred convictions of others.”
Ferrao also appealed to Catholics not to associate with such programmes and urged “all people of goodwill to commit to fostering understanding, respect, and harmony among all people.”
