Tourists spoil Goan culture, says state tourism minister

Days after the revenue minister of the state Vinod Palienkar made a controversial statement on late night parties and rave parties in Goa, tourism minister of the state Manohar Ajgaonkar has now jumped on the bandwagon.

The minister who was speaking at a public event in Panaji on Friday said tourists are causing chaos and destroying the Goan culture. In a state that earns a huge part of its revenue through tourism and receives approximately 4 billion tourists every year, the statement is bound to disappoint many.

”The outsiders who come here, create chaos after they drink. They ruin our culture, our Goenkarponn (Goanness). That should not happen. This should be controlled,” said Ajgaonkar.

Drawing a comparison with the local community, he said that liquor and music were rooted to the former Portuguese-ruled state’s culture and tradition.

“Liquor, music are part of our culture. It has been going on in a traditional way. It cannot be stopped just like that. Liquor is also a part of our tradition, our Goenkarponn,” he said.

Ajgaonkar also said, ”In Goa, if there is stomach pain, people still warm up alcohol and drink it... But when Goans drink alcohol, they do not lose control. Even if a Goan drinks alcohol, the next person will not know he has consumed liquor. He will not show it,”.

Making it to the headlines for the second time in a month, the minister had earlier made a similar comment wherein he had blamed the Lamani community (nomads), who set up small shops near the beaches, of ruining the culture of Goa as they sell drugs.

Later on following huge pressure from the community, the BJP had apologised for his comment. Ajganokar, too, had apologised for the statement.