'Derogatory, hurts my Sanatan Dharma': Row over Lord Shiva’s pic at Goa Sunburn festival

Panaji: A controversy erupted in Goa after Congress leader Vijay Bhike on Friday, December, 29 filed a police complaint against the organisers of Sunburn festival after an image of Hindu Lord Shiva was displayed during the event.

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

Meanwhile, Amit Palekar, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa chief also demanded action from the state government against the festival organisers, saying that actions should be taken for hurting sentiments of “Sanatan Dharma."

Taking to social media platform X, Amit wrote, "People drinking alcohol and dancing to loud music and my lord Shiva’s pics used in derogatory manner flashing on screen at EDM Festival hurts my Sanatan Dharma." Amit Palekar also tagged Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and asked him to "immediately register" an FIR against the organisers of Sunburn festival."

The leader added that an image of Lord Shiva was displayed at a festival "which promotes alcohol". The AAP Goa chief urged the state's top cop to take notice of "this cognisable offence."

Speaking to reporters, Amit said that he had called up the Goa Director General of Police demanding an offence to be registered against the Subrun Festival organisers.

News agency PTI quoted him saying, "The use of our God for the purpose of the EDM festival where alcohol is served is not right."

Sunburn EDM, is a popular electronic dance music festival in Goa which began on December 28 at Vagator in North Goa and ended on Saturday, December 30.