MARGAO: Effigies of PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik were burnt at Navelim on Thursday evening, even as Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva warned both Sudin and Muthalik not to test the patience of Goans by raking up unnecessary controversy over bikinis and pubs.
The PWD Minister was asked to tender an apology to Goans for his comments on bikinis and pubs, failing which they threatened to stop Sudin’s entry into Salcete taluka.
“Enough is enough. First it was Muthalik and now it is Sudin Dhavalikar who is talking in the same language. I want to say that if anyone has any problem with Goan culture, they should move out of Goa. They have no reason to tell Goans to change their culture”, Caitu asserted.
While making an appeal to all and sundry not to mix religion and culture, the Benaulim MLA said people of Goa will no longer tolerate these elements. “We have the guts to show these people in their places. In Salcete, we had done so in the past”, he said.
While promising to take up the issue with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar saying the matter has gone too far, Caitu said he is ready to go to any extent to protect Goan culture.
Navelim resident George Barretto openly threw a challenge at the PWD Minister to come to Salcete and stop Goan culture. He said that Goans are capable enough to handle Pramod Muthalik if he comes to Goa. “We can show to both Sudin and Muthalik what we are capable of if they dare stop our culture. If someone is unhappy with Goan culture, he should move out and stay with Muthalik in Udupi”, he added.
George said people of Salcete will not allow entry for the PWD Minister in the taluka if he does not apologize to Goans for his statement on bikinis
and pubs.
