Goa’s reputation as a nightlife destination is in peril. A ban on outdoor nightlife and commercial activity imposed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s government came into effect yesterday.
All commercial activities in Goa will have to wind up by 1am, according to Parrikar, who said the decision was necessary to curb the rising wave of crimes, especially the looting of tourists, burglaries and thefts.
“All commercial activity will have to shut after 1am,” Parrikar said, announcing the ban last Thursday.
Only five-star hotels and indoor activities have been spared the ban. Hundreds of the state’s beach shacks, open dance floors and other open dining courtyards will come under the new regulation.
The ban comes on the heels of week-long celebrations in India’s party state, which included Christmas as well as New Year revelries. There was also a string of music parties across the coastal stretch.
Most sections of Goa have called the ban a party pooper, and said it was brought into force to mask the inefficiency of a floundering state police force which has been unable to control rising crime.
“It’s a ridiculous move. Shutting down activity and staying indoors is not going to help the situation. We’ve had a burglary twice at our home so far... The reason for the steep rise in burglary and crime is that the crooks are not scared of the cops or the law and order machinery in the state,” says Skitter Faia, a public relations professional who lives in Colva, a popular beach village in south Goa.
Shalom Sardinha, a Congress activist, says it would be unfair to blame the police alone. Sardinha, the son of a sitting Lok Sabha MP, says the blame rests with politicians for more reasons than one.
“It would be unfair to blame just the police as most of these nefarious activities are (done) with the backing and support of the state’s politicians,” says Sardinha, adding that the shortage of police personnel was also a handicap.
Former president of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manguirish Pai Raikar feels that not allowing music, especially in Goa, with its profile as an entertainment destination, was wrong.
Raikar said these indiscriminate bans work well for local politicians who extort money from hospitality outfits who play music to enhance a visitor experience.
“I have seen people at Morjim blackmailing hoteliers. They allow music only after you pay them. Are visitors coming here to gaze at the stars? They might want to enjoy the sound of music with their food. We need to look into this matter, or stop tourism altogether,” Raikar said.
But G Ganesh, a web developer who has managed a nightclub in the past, feels there was a need to curb nightlife: “There have been problems because of the late-night commercial activities - noise pollution, accidents, burglaries, etc,” Ganesh said, adding that the “corrupt, lazy and unfit” police force are to blame for the breakdown in law and order.