No change in policy over dress code on beaches: Manohar Parrikar

PANAJI: Weeks after his minister kicked up a row with his comment that bikinis should be banned, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the government's policy on dress code at beaches remains unchanged and that any moral policing in the tourist destination would not be tolerated.

"There is no change in policy and the minister's (Sudin Dhavalikar) opinion about banning bikinis on the beaches is his personal view," Parrikar told the State Legislative Assembly.

The CM was responding to the question tabled by Congress Legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco who had asked whether the government had any plans to disallow bikinis on beaches.

Parrikar said the state will not tolerate moral policing. "We will take action against those who are indulging in the moral policing. If anyone tries to harass a lady, I will take action. We will not tolerate anyone who is trying to force how to behave," Parrikar said in an indirect reference to Sri Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik.

He also said that he would not like to comment about government's views on pub culture, unless people are clear what is meant by "pub culture".

"Each one has different opinion of pub culture. We are not going to contain anything unless it is a cause of worry," he added.

Earlier this month, Dhavalikar, Goa's transport minister, had kicked up a row when he said that wearing bikinis should be banned on Goa's beaches. He had, however, withdrawn his comments after it provoked outrage.