Complaints Against Goa's Sunburn Festival Over Displaying Lord Shiva's Image While People Drank Alcohol, Danced To Loud Music

The Congress and AAP, opposition parties in Goa, have called for measures to be taken against the Sunburn Festival's organisers. They allege that the festival disrespected religious sentiments by displaying images of Lord Shiva in what they claim to be a 'derogatory manner' on an LED screen.

Amit Palekar, AAP Goa president, said, “Lord Shiva’s image was used during the festival. People drinking alcohol and dancing to loud music and my lord Shiva’s pics used in a derogatory manner, flashing on screen at EDM Festival, hurts my Sanatan Dharma”.

“An FIR should be registered against the festival organisers since the sanctity of our Sanatan Dharma has been compromised. The use of our God for the purpose of an EDM festival where alcohol is served is not right,” Palekar added.

According to Indian Express, Vijay Bhike, a leader from Congress, lodged a complaint at the Mapusa police station, calling for action to be taken against the festival organisers.

Bhike said in his complaint, “The organisers have intentionally insulted the religious feelings of Hindus by portraying that Lord Shiva supports drinking alcohol, consumption of prohibited substances and other illicit activities that take place during the event.”

A complaint was lodged at the Mapusa police station on Saturday by a consortium of Hindu groups, spearheaded by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, against the festival's organisers.

The Samiti's complaint notes that during the current Sunburn Festival, an image of Lord Shiva was projected onto a screen while attendees partook in alcohol consumption and danced to loud music in what was deemed an inappropriate fashion. This behavior has reportedly offended the religious feelings of Hindus.

"The exploitation of the image for such a detestable purpose is entirely reprehensible and inexcusable. This is also inciting religious tension by utilizing the deity of one faith for sectarian objectives, which could potentially lead to a situation of public disorder," the complaint stated.

Previously, the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti advocated for a prohibition on the yearly Sunburn Festival in Goa, alleging that the event encourages a "drug culture".

A high-ranking Goa police official has confirmed that they have indeed received the complaints and are currently investigating the details of the case. However, no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed as of yet.