Goa Culture Minister, Govind Gawade, after criticisms from the opposition for allowing the Sunburn EDM event in the state has said that the government didn’t force the youth to go to the festival.
The minister’s remarks come after three youngsters died at the Sunburn Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Festival that took place from 27-29 December 2019.
“The government is not forcing the youth to go and attend the Sunburn festival. They go on their own. No one is forced to go there,” the BJP minister said. He also added that the government is not responsible for the huge crowd. “We are not distributing any passes to anyone. It is the music enthusiasts who like to go there, they do it out of their wish,” he said.
On the first day of the event, two youngsters from Hyderabad, Sai Prasad Malayala, and Venkat Satyanarayana died after collapsing near the venue in the North Goa district.
“The two began to feel uneasy when they were standing outside the venue of the event at Vagator beach village, waiting for the gates to open on Friday afternoon,” the police said.
Another tourist on Sunday 29 December, Sandeep Kotta, 24, from Bengaluru also collapsed at the venue and later died in a local hospital. The post-mortem was conducted, however, the cause of death was reserved as the viscera was sent for further forensic examination, reported The New Indian Express.
The government drew flak from the Goa Congress and the Goa forward block. While Congress alleged that drugs were sold at the venue and demanded that revocation of permission for the EDM festival, the Goa forward block has demanded a CBI probe in the deaths.
Goa’s main opposition party, Congress claimed that narcotics were being sold in the event. Girish Chodankar, Goa Congress President accused the state government of the state menace.
He also took to Twitter and referred to Goa as “Drowning and Drugging Destination”.
Goa is now ‘Drowning & Drugging Destination’ of @TourismGoa Babuko Kaabu mey rakho @goacm Josh of @BabuAjgaonkar is surely not in Hosh.The Owl may hv filled his Bowl but has made Goa Foul.Its high time @DrPramodPSawant gives him discharge from theCabinet @INCGoa pic.twitter.com/okfAu0drRH
— Girish Chodankar (@girishgoa) December 30, 2019
Defenders of @SunburnFestival @BabuAjgaonkar & @MichaelLobo76 have scored 2self goals.After Drowning Destination now @TourismGoa launches "DrugsDestination" with blessings of @goacm @DrPramodPSawant GMC & POLICE should reveal truth of 2 deaths today @ Venue pic.twitter.com/jOntWW0HY5
— Girish Chodankar (@girishgoa) December 27, 2019
