As the clock struck midnight, ushering in the new year, Goa, as usual, lit up with fireworks, music, and hordes of revellers partying through the night with pomp and great festivity. While there was celebration in the air, the chaos, especially in coastal North Goa was awful as the party environment pushed every boundary. And soon tragedy struck. A brawl in a Calangute shack between staff and a group of tourists over a late food order ended with a death. One of the tourists succumbed to head injuries in the ensuing assault.
This incident raises pressing questions about safety, accountability, and the need for a systematic rethink of how we approach revelry in the State. Goa has long been a buzzword synonymous with festivities, attracting celebrities, politicians, and tourists from all walks of life. Yet, as this New Year’s mishap highlights, the underlying currents of violence and lawlessness threaten to mar its reputation as a paradise for party-goers.
The unfortunate reality is that local establishments, often at the heart of coastal celebrations, operate with impunity. The allure of late-night revelry, paired with scant oversight, has created an environment where the breach of business regulations is rampant. Authorities seem to have relinquished their responsibilities, allowing businesses to prioritise profit over regulations. This tacit agreement has created a culture where rules are seen as optional. The unfortunate consequence of this organisational neglect is chaos and disorder leading to violence — a symptom of a larger malaise.
As we reflect on the festive chaos, we must acknowledge that it is not merely individual acts of aggression that contribute to such tragedies but rather a systemic failure that allows these issues to ferment unaddressed. It is a worrisome trend that businesses are allowed to run way beyond regulations, with some even going into the morning hours of the next day.
Furthermore, the notion that increased police presence could quell the fauna of violence in party zones is an illusion. Firstly, given the coastal coverage, it would be seemingly impossible to guard every operating area on the beach belt. We’ve witnessed the ineffectiveness of transient enforcement in the past; simply placing uniformed personnel amid chaotic crowds does not solve the underlying problems. The sound levels remain unchanged; the violence persists.
Goa needs a systemic change, reforms that look at the larger tourism picture. The focus has to be on cutting out the chaos and disorder and aligning with the laws in place. Enforcement of existing rules must become a priority, rather than turning a blind eye to their persistent violation. Local authorities need to take a firm stance against all violations along the coastal belt, and that could be a first step towards an orderly regime. We are caught in a vicious circle currently because businesses violate laws since they want to make hay while the sun shines, and while the system allows them those liberties.
A systemic overhaul would empower local law enforcement to establish a collective understanding of acceptable behaviour among both tourists and residents. By putting additional checks on the industry, we can protect the very essence of Goa, prioritizing the well-being of all who cherish its coast. It is time for a serious reassessment—a recalibration of our relationship with revelry, ensuring it does not come at the expense of life itself. As we step into a new year, we are faced with a solemn reminder: revelry and lawlessness cannot go hand in hand.
