The Parampujya Sadguru Brahmeshanand Acharya Swami of Tapobhoomi, Kundaim made a shocking statement a few days ago on what he saw at the Calanagute beach.
The video went viral with Swamiji saying what he saw at Calangute cannot be expressed in words and hence he urged the parents to keep their children away from such vices.
In his video statement, Swamiji also found similarities between Calangute and Thailand (the Sin City).
It has been more than a week and no politicians have questioned Swamiji’s statement on what he saw in Calangute and when?
Local MLA Michael Lobo did make a statement that he would talk Swamiji and know what the issue was. Lobo also said in the same breath that he is a strong follower and whatever Swamiji said was a serious issue.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira also seemed upset with the Swamiji’s statement but restricted himself from making any strong statement saying “I do not know what Swamiji saw.”
The name of Calangute coastal belt has already been in the eye of the due to the frequent issues of drugs, prostitution, touts, bouncers and so on but what Swamiji has said added fuel to fire. The statement has also not gone well with the residents of Calangute who seemed in denial mode and were inquisitive to know what the Swamiji exactly saw.
“We want to know what Swamiji saw and whether he has gone to Thailand to compare Calangute to Thailand,” said a lady, who said such statement tarnish image of the tourist village.
People also questioned when did he come to Calangute to see what is happening in the village.
“He must show evidence of what he saw,” said another villager.
The anger of the people is justified that such statement not only tarnish image of village but also affects livelihood of people who depend on tourism.
People believe that most of the politicians, especially BJP leaders CM Dr Pramod Sawant, Michale Lobo, North Goa MP Shripad Naik, are Swamiji’s followers so it would have been right for him to bring the issue to the notice of the CM and the politicians and not go public with such wild statements. So what Swamiji from bringing this issue to the notice of the CM?
Interstingly, Swamiji’s name was also floating around for the North Goa parliamentary seat. There was no official confirmation though.
Swamiji’s statement not something new….
Notably, Swamiji has not said something which is not known to anyone there are discos, dance bars which promote prostitution, drugs and Goemkarponn has been in the forefront to expose these vices.
Swamiji’s statement has hurt many but he has not said lies. Calangute is suffering, it is facing identity crisis.
The foreigners have deserted the beach and the village as Indian businessman running dance bars and discos have increased.
However, instead of critricism what is needed is the treatment for the illness which lies with the government and the police.
We need strict policing alongwith strong decision making government, which will take a strong decision even if means shutting down big business houses including those who have close links in Delhi.
Instead of criticising Calangute, Swamiji could do well if he calls CM Dr Pramod Sawant and gives him a word of advise and what needs to be done to save Goa, instead of making such “unsubstantiated” statements in public, which hurt public sentiments.