In a sudden turn of events, the state government sought to drop its mention of Sunburn at the 9th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog held in Delhi, belatedly realising the impact it would have back home. The first version of the script stated that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant lauded events like Carnival, Shigmotsav and Sunburn and their contribution to putting Goa on the international cultural map. A revised press release issued late Saturday evening skips mention of festivals including Sunburn.
The flip-flop leaves one baffled and exposes the government’s mind on controversial events like Sunburn which are facing stiff opposition in both North and South Goa. Sunburn has been mired in controversies over the years for varied reasons — from default in payment of dues to bypassing permissions. Locals have seen the festival with a high level of scepticism because of the manipulated uncertainty.
Come 2024, Sunburn set its sights on the Quitol plateau in South Goa promising a surreal underwater experience. Organisers moved their proposal before the GIDC, which is the custodian of the land even as officials and the chairman remained tight-lipped when this newspaper first broke the story.
While the organisers went a step ahead and opened plans on the “BookMyShow” portal, the State government and authorities maintained a measured stance. “We will decide when the proposal comes to us”, was Sawant’s retort. Nonetheless, the moves made by Sunburn were enough to fuel a protest across the State with around 16 gram sabhas rising in opposition against the festival in South Goa.
Panchayats of Benaulim, Chandor, Telaulim, Ambelim, Velim, Varca, Betalbatim Carmona, Sarzora, Camurlim, Nuvem, Quitol and several others, including some in North Goa, passed resolutions in opposition to Sunburn. Social activists, politicians and local leaders have risen to oppose the event and the opposition is as clear as daylight.
Against this backdrop, there has been a suspicion that ministers could play to the Sunburn tunes overlooking public sentiment as has been the case earlier. Making a statement that Sunburn is contributing to the growth of tourism in the State, is not only badly timed but highlights the financial muscle and political acceptability it has. The government spoke its mind. Retracting it later is a different story.
Although the GIDC has rejected the Quitol proposal at its recent board meeting, no other voice or leader has followed suit. It is important to understand the government's mind at this stage given the U-turns and late turns that the festival has taken in previous years to the extent that once permissions were given even 24 hours before kick-off.
A mention of Sunburn at the NITI Aayog presentation, and clubbing it along with other State festivals, shows the priority accorded. It certainly holds a place of pride in Goa, so it seems. The draft may have changed, but not before revealing the government's mind.
Goans have earned the goodwill of being hospitable and friendly people and hold a fundamental right to choose the kind of tourism that is acceptable. Attempts to ignore the voices of the people and promote festivals against their will could have drastic consequences.
