Panaji, Apr 11 (IANS): A women's group Wednesday joined the protest against a proposed Playboy club in Goa, the controversies surrounding which have already created a rift in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sabina Martins, convenor of women's rights group Bailancho Saad, said that Playboy was known the world over for "denigrating women and promoting voyeurism" but Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was not committed to refusing permission for the club to operate in Goa.

"Bailancho Saad strongly condemns the setting up of the Playboy club as it reduces women to a sex object and perpetuates exploitation of women. State cannot legalise exploitation of women by giving permission," said Martins in a statement.

She added that the casino industry and prostitution had already resulted into a lot of women being trafficked to Goa from across the world.

"There has been an increase in trafficking of women especially foreigners. Russian and Filipino women are used in hotels to entertain guests. The number of foreign women found in protective homes after raids is an indication of the prevalent exploitation," Martins said.

The issue of granting permission to Playboy club, promoted by the Mumbai-based PB Lifestyle, has triggered a revolt within the BJP after the party's north Goa president Michael Lobo accused the government of trying to "promote prostitution".

Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, who is considering PB Lifestyle's proposal to set up the club in the beach village of Candolim, has sought time until Monday to decide on the proposal.

The government had last week asked the franchisee to submit an affidavit saying that no nudity or vulgarity would be promoted. Martins is, however, not impressed.

"The swearing of affidavits that no nudity or vulgarity or exploitation of women will take place are meaningless pieces of paper as they are never adhered to," she said.