Goa Police have launched a statewide crackdown on harassment and consent violations against tourists, especially foreign women, at popular beaches such as Baga, Calangute and Arambol.
The move comes after a string of viral videos and complaints showing cases of non-consensual photography, forced selfies and intrusive behaviour, prompting police to warn that anyone taking pictures without consent can be detained under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for up to 24 hours.
In recent days, two men from Tamil Nadu were held at Baga beach, and another case was booked at Calangute after a video of a foreign woman being filmed without permission circulated online.
Police and tourism officials have said the actions are intended to protect visitor safety and preserve Goa’s image as a welcoming destination, but they also underline wider concerns about tourist harassment and public behaviour on the state’s beaches.
Crackdown On Consent Violations And Harassment
Goa Police have intensified patrolling along key coastal belts, stressing that consent is central to any interaction involving photography or selfies with fellow tourists. Authorities have cited “a series of complaints and viral clips” showing visitors, particularly foreign women, being coaxed or pressured into photos without their permission-a practice they say constitutes a violation of privacy and, in many cases, harassment.
Under the preventive provisions of Section 170 BNSS, police officers can detain individuals on the spot if there is a perceived risk of public disorder or threat to a visitor’s safety.
On Friday, two male tourists from Tamil Nadu were detained on Baga beach for allegedly clicking photographs of tourists without their consent. The police have emphasised that enforcement applies to both domestic and foreign visitors, and that the focus is on protecting privacy and dignity, not discouraging photography per se.
“Anyone found clicking pictures without the consent of the tourists and infringing on their privacy will face detention and preventive arrest,” a senior officer told The Indian Express.
In a separate incident at Calangute, a man identified as Alisto Lobo was booked after allegedly filming a foreign woman while she was swimming and sharing the video on social media without her consent.
FIRs were lodged under sections related to outraging modesty and defamation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with police saying such acts reflect poorly on Goa’s reputation.
Growing Concerns Over Safety And Visitor Experience
The crackdown follows several earlier episodes that alarmed both authorities and the public. In November 2025, a video from Arambol beach showing men forcing two foreign women to pose for photographs-putting their arms around them despite visible discomfort-sparked outrage and heightened calls for better protection of tourists.
In another case, a shack worker at Baga was arrested after making lewd and offensive remarks at a woman tourist late at night, prompting immediate police action.
These episodes have prompted the tourism department to work closely with police to enhance safety mechanisms, including day and night beach patrolling, rapid response teams, and clear helpline information for visitors.
Tourism Director Kedar Naik described the offensive behaviour as “unacceptable” and inconsistent with Goa’s ethos as a hospitable destination, and urged all stakeholders to uphold respectful conduct.
The state’s tourism minister, Rohan Khaunte, has repeatedly underlined the need for coordinated action: while the tourism department lacks direct enforcement powers on beaches and depends on police support, recent legislative changes under the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Amendment Act broaden the definition of nuisance and allow higher penalties for unauthorised and coercive behaviour that disrupts public order.
Historical Context And Wider Patterns
Goa’s struggle to balance its vibrant tourism culture with safety and dignity concerns is not new. Over the years, a number of high-profile incidents involving harassment, inappropriate conduct and hazing at beaches have sparked debate around tourist behaviour and enforcement challenges.
In late 2025, authorities arrested three men from Karnataka after a viral video showed them harassing foreign women on a North Goa beach; the case highlighted long-standing frustrations among locals and authorities about images of Goa as a free-spirited but unregulated space for tourists.
Tourism officials have also acknowledged broader issues affecting the visitor experience, including touting, littering, illegal beach vending and unregulated activities that strain law enforcement and reflect poorly on destination management.
Police statistics from earlier in 2025 show that action was taken against over 1,000 individuals for various illegal activities on beaches, from drinking and littering to driving and touting, indicating systemic pressures on public order.
Local voices and online travel communities reflect a mix of praise and criticism for Goa. Some long-time visitors and residents lament recent changes in beach culture, with anecdotal accounts of intrusive behaviour, aggressive solicitation and a shift from peaceful relaxation to chaotic social interactions.
Others focus on infrastructural and environmental concerns such as cleanliness, overcrowding and the impact of commercialisation. (Online community posts have widely debated these issues, with some travellers describing uncomfortable encounters with intrusive locals and poorly regulated spaces.)
Balancing Safety, Respect And Tourism Growth
For its part, the Goa Police’s current approach aims to make beaches safer and more respectful, with consent as a clear boundary line in tourist interactions. This enforcement is particularly timely as the state enters peak season, when international and domestic visitor numbers surge and the potential for boundary violations rises accordingly.
By pivoting towards immediate detention and preventive action, authorities hope to deter repeat offences and signal that harassment-whether through non-consensual photography, unwanted touching, or forced selfies—will not be tolerated.
Critics, however, caution that policing alone cannot change deep-rooted attitudes. Sustainable improvements will likely require public awareness campaigns, community engagement, and tourism education that promotes mutual respect.
Operators in the shack, hospitality and services sectors may also play a role by setting clear norms and intervening when visitors behave inappropriately.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The evolving narrative around Goa’s beaches highlights a crucial truth: tourism thrives not merely on scenic vistas and warm weather, but on dignity, respect and shared humanity. Goa has long been celebrated for its openness, cultural warmth and cosmopolitan charm-values that must be protected alongside economic interests.
Police enforcement against harassment and consent violations is a necessary step, but lasting change requires collective effort: from visitors who respect personal boundaries, to local communities that uphold welcoming norms, to authorities that balance safety with civil liberties.
