From our Special correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SP)
Panaji, Mar 19: A Hindu protagonist organization has warned of unleashing its hate campaign against the popular pub culture of Goa.
Sri Ram Sene (SRS), a hitherto unknown outfit, had hit the headlines after its cadres attacked a pub in the neighbouring state of Karnataka a few days before the Valentines Day. Sene Chief Pramod Mutalik was arrested and stands banned from entering Dakshina Kannada district for a year.
Mutalik, in his recent interviews to the local media, has been reiterating that he would not spare the pub culture prevalent in Goa. The state, according to him, is spreading pub culture across the nation, which he claims, is against the Indian traditions.
The SRS chief has also been saying that senior political leaders from the state are in touch with him in connection with the proposed setting up of a branch of SRS in the state.
The mushrooming pub culture and westernized way of living prevalent in the state seems to be the bone of contention for Mutalik. Mutalik has claimed that SRS cadres are already working in Margao, Mapusa and Canacona. He said, the Sene will hold a public meeting in the state soon.
The erstwhile Portuguese colony, which is a tourist hotspot of the country, has cheap liquor flowing in the state. Many are apprehensive, that the SRS’ campaign may affect the tourism industry.
Mutalik in the interview to Goa based daily ' O Herald 0', has said that he is not against tourism but stressed, he has every right to ask the people to follow the Indian culture. The SRS chief had expressed his intention to enter Goa through a meeting held at Vengurla, in Konkan region of Maharashtra, 66 kms away from Goa’s capital city of Panaji.
Goa’s home minister Ravi Naik was quick enough to respond to Mutalik’s aspirations by retorting that the state may ban SRS, if it tries to create nuisance here.
Naik said, Mutalik would not be allowed to operate in the state. “Men and women are equal. We don’t want him to tell us what we should do,” Naik had reacted. He also said, the state is a perfect blend of Indian and western cultures and that the people here know what is best for them.