Team Herald
PANJIM: Politicians, lawyers, activists have resolved to fight the battle against the organisers of Sunburn electronic dance music (EDM), who has filed an interim application before the High Court of Judicature at Bombay claiming that several media houses including national ones as well as Google, X and Facebook to restrain reportage, comments on the consistently controversial EDM festival.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “As elected representatives, we are concerned about certain issues and raise them for a good cause. Many people in the State are against ‘Sunburn’.”
Yuri said, “There have been protests in the State against it, and we stand with them. They can’t stifle our voice by sending such notices. It is our democratic right to speak against any issue, which harms people. We will fight this case unitedly to respect public sentiments and protect our Goa. With the people on our side, we have no worries; we will fight this through.”
AAP Goa convenor Adv Amit Palekar tweeted, “I assure you all the defendants in the suit filed by @SunburnFestival that as an Advocate and a true Goan with self respect, I pledge to stand by all of you pro-bono and defend the falsity and blackmailing to the best of my ability.”
South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes said, “This is a tactic of the event organisers to try and browbeat not only in silencing the elected representatives but also to muzzle the voice of the media from highlighting the wrong doings which is having detrimental effect on the society. Are they trying to deny justice to the young lives that were lost in the last few years? The very fact that there is heavy police bandobast to prevent suspected peddling/usage of drugs shows that there is suspected use of drugs. The authorities also believe that there is suspecting peddling/use of drugs during the event.”
Benaulim MLA Capt Venzy Viegas said, “Sunburn has been a big headache due to complaints of drugs/smoking/traffic jam and allegations of kickbacks, forced to give free tickets. Unless these issues are sorted out all such festivals need a relook. May discuss for clarity,” says ex-CM late Manohar Parrikar’s official noting! The same should be either endorsed or disagreed by the present BJP govt dispensation!”
Velim MLA Cruz Silva said, “We do not want Sunburn. We will fight the case. They can file cases against village panchayats also which have passed resolutions that they do not want Sunburn EDM. So they can file defamation cases against the entire Goa. We know that Sunburn is promoting drugs. People of Goa will support us.”