THE GOAN NETWORK
PERNEM
The Sunburn organisers could face the music amid plans to host their mega music festival at Dhargalim-Pernem, with Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar sending out a stern warning on Wednesday that he will not allow the festival in the village under any circumstances.
After being rejected at multiple locations, Sunburn organisers had announced a new venue for the event at Dhargalim, at least as per an online booking site.
Responding to this development, Arlekar told media persons at a news conference in Malpe-Pernem that residents of Pernem had not demanded the Sunburn festival to be staged at Dhargalim and neither were they provided with any information from authorities.
“Previously, Sunburn festival used to be held along the coastal belt at Calangute and Baga areas. Now what was the reason to shift the venue to Dhargal? I never demanded the festival to be hosted in Dhargalim. When news spread that the Sunburn festival is being planned at Dhargalim, I received several calls from people objecting to the festival,” said Arlekar.
“I have been elected by the people and will do what they desire. Pernem has a rich cultural heritage and it is my duty to preserve this cultural heritage. If government wants to earn revenue, Sunburn Festival can be organised in the coastal area of Mandrem constituency.”
“I will not allow Sunburn Festival in Dhargalim area under any circumstances. I am willing to come on the street with the people to oppose the festival,” warned Arlekar.
Mopa Sarpanch Subodh Mahale also warned that if a festival like Sunburn is held in Pernem constituency, the people with the support of MLA Pravin Arlekar will strongly oppose the festival.
Former sarpanch of Dhargalim Bhushan alias Pradeep Naik said the local panchayat had not given any permission to host such a festival and sought to know who had given permission to Sunburn to organise the event in Dhargalim.
Another former sarpanch of Dhargalim and panch member Aniket Salgaonkar claimed that many projects planned by the government in Pernem taluka are still incomplete.
“The government should first complete these pending projects, resolve the problem of unemployment, and solve the issues of taxi operators. We will not support festivals like Sunburn,” said Salgaonkar.
Ex-Zilla Panchayat member Tukaram Harmalkar and others also spoke at the news conference.
According to the online site, the Sunburn festival has been proposed close to the Ayush Ayurveda Hospital and the Mopa Link flyover bridge in Dhargalim from December 28 to 30. The organisers have, however, reportedly stated on the site that the event is subject to government permission.
There has been significant opposition to the festival, with locals raising concerns about the festival’s impact on the environment, local culture, and public safety. Many villages in South Goa, including Chicalim, Carmona, Nuvem, Varca, Chinchinim and Camurlim had passed resolutions opposing the festival.
