Herald recently carried a photograph of Indian tourists ogling at bikini-clad foreign tourists at the Baga beach. Probably many Indian male tourists are attracted to the Goan beaches because of the foreign tourists who indulge in sun-bathing on the sand by wearing swimsuits and bikinis. Many of these tourists could even be clicking photographs on the sly of the scantily-clad foreign tourists sun bathing on the beaches. Some of these ogling tourists may not have seen fair-skinned foreigners in scanty clothing in real life but only in movies and magazines. Hence they could be spending time on Goan beaches just staring at these foreign tourists.
Being ogled at can be a very humiliating and disturbing experience for the ladies. At times the foreign tourists may even keep away from the beaches because of the ogling. This is a serious matter and those tourists indulging in ogling should be cautioned. However it seems that no such steps are being taken by the authorities concerned.
Eavesdropping, eve-teasing, peeping at women in their homes, passing indecent comments, stalking are all acts considered as outraging the modesty of women and attract punishment under the relevant laws. If that be the case shouldn’t ogling at women also be considered a serious crime and the offenders booked accordingly? The authorities need to find ways to dissuade people, specially, the Indian male tourists from indulging in ogling at foreign tourists in bikinis on the beaches. If need be signboards should be put up on the beaches warning people not to indulge in ogling. Those who still indulge in the act should be warned initially and subsequently booked. We should take necessary steps to make our beaches safe for women from those prying eyes.
