MARGAO: There is fierce public opposition to the holding of Sunburn in South Goa. But should the Sunburn narrative go beyond North Goa and South Goa and not be allowed to be held in Goa at all? In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV asked people whether the Sunburn discourse should not be only about not having EDM in the South, but not having it in any part of Goa at all.
“Sunburn should not be there in Goa. This is a drug related event, there is a lot of consumption of drugs. Because the event brings a lot of money the organisers are also prepared to spend a lot of money. What I understood is that for some years they have not paid comunidade of Anjuna. Now the organisers have to pay Rs 2 crore, but they are ready to pay around Rs 70 lakh. The event is supported by the people who are influential, the people who are in the government. I have no hesitation to say that this is an event which brings revenue both official and unofficial, that is why there is some support for this event. Now they have finished with North Goa and we don’t want it in South Goa. This should not be there in the entire Goa. Let them go to any other state, and I doubt whether any other state will accept them.”
Jose Maria Miranda, Senior Activist
“We say no to Sunburn. The peace which we enjoy will be destroyed, if Sunburn happens. What goes on inside the Sunburn venue? Has the govt seen this? There is drugs, alcohol, sex, etc. This has reached such a level, that it has gone out of hand. All Goans have to unite and say no to Sunburn in the State of Goa, may it be in the North or the South. So many people die in accidents during Sunburn, they die due to overdose. Those who leave the house are not sure of coming back. What is going on? Is the government paying attention to this or not? If the government cares for the youth of Goa, Sunburn has to stop.”
Mahesh Nayak, Activist
“People of South Goa are aware of the drugs and other abuses that were taking place in North Goa during Sunburn. Therefore they are objecting in the South. Not only South Goa, but Sunburn has to be banned in the entire South Goa. If the organiser had said he is quitting Goa, why is he coming back? Because here they get protection. In other states they do not get protection. Or the underhand money they have to pay, maybe more. Here it may be cheaper and they get all the freedom for all anti-social elements, that’s why they are coming back to Goa.”
Savio Coutinho, Convenor, Shadow Council
“The exposure of children to Sunburn is the worst impact. When children are young, their brain is in plasticity mode. If they get bad exposure at this stage, they will ruin their future. We have to understand this. If we allow the festival, there will be excitement, music. But what about the impact on the environment, impact on local communities and well being of our future generation. All this has to be balanced. If we consider all these aspects, then we should not only not have Sunburn in South Goa, but entire Goa.”
Jack Mascarenhas
Should Sunburn narrative go beyond North Goa and South Goa?
