03 Oct 2020  |   04:15am IST

Breaking the law seems to be the ‘new cool’ for celebrity tourists in Goa

Goa has witnessed major transgressions by people with the right connections. A couple of months earlier, young men brawled in party in Arpora where drugs were available in plenty. Then a small-time Bollywood actor who was earlier photographed with the high and mighty in the state was arrested with drugs worth lakhs and then Bollywood choreographers Remo D’sSouza and Salam Yousiff Khan were found riding on bikes on the Atal Setu Bridge where it is forbidden for two-wheelers to ride. Why do these celebrities behave like this when they come to Goa? Herald is proud that it took the lead in reporting the latest acts of the choreographers. Café spoke to people to get their view

Ajit John

They think they are above the law is because they are friends with most of the politicians as well as with the top brass of the police. They also have friends in the bureaucracy which makes them believe they are immune to the laws in Goa. The feel their friends will safeguard them if any unlawful activity takes place. They believe that money is power and authority and they use that money to get them out of the sticky situations that find themselves. If you have strong central leadership, a strong chief minister, a strong DGP who does not get moved by money power then you will have law-abiding citizens and tourists. 

-Ralston Mascarenhas, Assolna

Our society is largely divided into an Invisible layer of double standards in treating the public when it comes to law enforcement. I have seldom seen a traffic police cop take the liberty to fine a speeding high profile car with tinted glasses. Or for that matter fines being imposed on traffic violators which include the workers of political leaders in their respective constituency  

- Shubham Talekar, Canacona

The media plays a very vital role in cracking the whip on celebrities and so-called influencers, particularly those people who think money can buy everything in life. These set of people feel that they have an immune system and they can do everything they like and take the laws in their hands. The social media handles like Instagram, WhatsApp have come handy in creating a mass movement to create awareness and expose such violators. I am delighted the Goa Police took stern action against the alleged drug parties, celebrity choreographers and others after being highlighted on various newspapers and local news channels  

- Sidharth Mehta, Navelim

An alert media can bring a revolutionary change in transforming the mindset of the society who feel that money power can bend rules and shield them protection from punishment  

- Prachin Prabhudessai, Quepem

Media plays a very important role and in recent cases which have come to light in Goa it is only because of the newspapers and Instagram handles demanding the violators be booked by the Goa police. We have to continue the momentum of being alert citizens  

- Yuvraj Ramnath Naik, Sanguem

Breaking the law is the "new cool" for the rich and famous. This has serious repercussions as their followers also try to imitate blindly. Not only media but commoners also play an important role in stopping this trend  

- Samrat Kataktalware  Margao

Can the Police Dept be made an independent body? That's the solution with no political interference in day to day crime handling. But there should be another body which will oversee their omissions and commissions. Can India evolve to the next level is the million dollars question. Till then this politico controlled tamasha will continue forever  

- Einstein Barreto  Assagao