PANJIM: While maintaining that events like Sunburn are needed to attract tourists to the coastal State, the Minister for Art and Culture Govind Gaude on Monday contended that “no one forces the youth to attend the festival.”

“The government is not forcing the youth to go and attend the Sunburn festival. They go on their own. No one is forced to go there. It is for the youth to decide whether they want to attend such events or not,” Gaude told media persons responding to a question whether events like Sunburn are against the culture. 

“The government is not responsible for such a massive crowd at the festival. We are not distributing any passes to anyone. We don't force anyone to take passes from us. It is the music enthusiasts who like to go there and attend it and they do it as per their own wish,” the minister said.

The Independent MLA from Priol added that events like Sunburn are being held to attract tourists in large. "It is basically an entertainment for tourists, who visit the State. It has nothing to do with our culture. We need to maintain balance between entertainment and culture," he stated. 

The Minister added that the State government has always been promoting local culture and music through the different events. “When we speak of local culture, we also include Western Culture, which is taught in Kala Academy. Why don’t these youth show so much enthusiasm and take part in it,” he questioned. 

Gaude's defence comes at a time, when the State government is facing backlash for allowing Sunburn, following the death of three tourists at the venue.