Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress has demanded an immediate ban on mobile applications and websites that objectify women and allegedly facilitate escort services, warning that such platforms insult women’s dignity and contribute to the deterioration of safety and social values in the state.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) National General Secretary and Goa In-charge Shilpi Arora criticised the state government for what she termed misplaced priorities. Referring to IT Minister Rohan Khaunte’s recent proposal to ban social media use for children below 16 years, Arora said the government should first act against harmful and degrading online content.
“The government’s silence on such advertisements clearly reflects its double standards and anti-women mindset,” Arora alleged.
AIMC Co-Incharge and National Secretary Prajyoti Chandrakant Handore, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress President Pratiksha Khalap and General Secretary Shabnam Khan were also present at the press conference.
Arora strongly criticised the BJP-led state government over issues ranging from women’s safety and drug menace to unemployment and environmental degradation. “In the last 14 years, Goa has gone 140 years backward in terms of development. Goa, once known for its beauty and serenity, is now run by drug mafia, land mafia and casino mafia,” she claimed.
She further alleged that women’s safety in the state has deteriorated drastically. “There was a time when women could go to the beach at night safely. Today, Goan women fear stepping out after dark. Policing has weakened and criminals have no fear of the law,” Arora said, claiming that large quantities of drugs are being seized every month.
Citing economic concerns, Arora claimed hotel bookings have fallen by 20 per cent and unemployment stands at eight per cent. “If the BJP cannot run the government, then it should allow someone else to do so. If the Chief Minister’s image is linked to corruption and sale of land and forests, he must resign,” she added.
Displaying an advertisement that allegedly objectifies women, Khalap questioned the effectiveness of restricting social media access for minors, stating that children can easily access devices belonging to adults. She said the Mahila Congress plans to submit a list of objectionable apps and websites to the police.
“There are several apps and websites running escort services and even offering paid conversations with women. Why is there no restriction on such content? In the name of tourism, drugs and prostitution are flourishing, leading to crime and driving away quality tourists,” Khalap alleged.
Khalap also expressed support for protesters opposing the Unity Mall and Prashashan Stamb projects at Chimbel, alleging these were linked to real estate interests. “The government has no business building malls. Goa is being turned into another Las Vegas with casinos everywhere, while drugs and prostitution flourish as a byproduct,” she said.
She further cited the recent arrest of a Russian serial killer in Goa as an example of alleged lapses in the state’s security and verification systems. “There is no mechanism to verify who is living next door. Robberies are increasing and this is damaging Goa’s image as a tourist destination,” Khalap claimed.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Assembly elections, AIMC leader Prajyoti Handore said the party would strengthen its organisational base across all 1,731 polling booths in the state. “Mahila Congress will reach every booth to politically and organisationally empower women. We are also working towards women’s self-employment through sanitary pad manufacturing units,” she said.
Khalap added that the Goa Mahila Congress would urge party leadership to reserve 33 per cent of candidate tickets for women in the 2027 Assembly elections.
