A Goa-based right-wing organisation has called for a ban on the annual electronic dance music (EDM) festival, Sunburn, in Goa, claiming that the festival promotes “drug culture”.
A delegation of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Collector, North Goa on Thursday, appealing for a ban on the festival, scheduled to be held at the Vagator beach from December 28 to 31.
“The organisers have recently announced that ‘Sunburn 2023’ will be held in Goa at Vagator beach like every year. Due to the festival, Goa’s civility is deteriorating. Such festivals are destroying the youth by promoting drug culture,” the memorandum said.
“Organising ‘Sunburn’ is cultural treason. It is our responsibility to protect Gomantak culture and the youth of Goa. Goa should be free from ‘EDM’,” it added.
Govind Chodankar, North Goa coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, said, “We appeal to the government to ban the festival from Goa forever and preserve its cultural identity. Such festivals promote drug culture.”
Last week, the organisers of the festival announced the line-up on Instagram. “For years, we have called Vagator our home and we proudly announce, Sunburn Festival 2023 will be taking place in Vagator, Goa,” the post read.
Sources in the tourism department said that the government is yet to grant a clearance. “The documents submitted by the organisers were not complete. They were asked to submit the documents for clearance and four reminders have been sent,” said an official, requesting anonymity.
Earlier, in August, amid speculation that the festival could be shifted to an alternate venue this year, residents in North Goa’s Pernem taluka had threatened to protest against any proposal for the event to be held in their taluka.
