State government orders probe into Spring Zouk Island Festival 2012

State government orders probe into Spring Zouk Island Festival 2012

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 8, 2012: In response to the controversy surrounding the Spring Zouk Island Festival 2012, recently organized by the district administration of Udupi at St. Mary’s Island, the state government has ordered an investigation into the festival.

The Congress has alleged that the district administration flouted rules and permitted foreigners to roam around in a semi-nude condition, exhibit promiscuity, and consume drugs and alcohol during the festival.

The Congress has also not spared CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda, who had stated that the festival was organized to promote tourism in the coastal areas.

 

 

The CM has informed the assembly that the regional commissioner of Mysore will conduct a thorough investigation into the festival. Initially, the CM had stated that the district administration had not broken any rules.

Around 900 foreigners and an equal number of local people had participated in this festival, which was held on St. Mary’s Island on Feb 3 – 5.

The Spring Zouk Island Festival 2012 was organized jointly by the district administration of Udupi, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), and 3WConcepts. The alleged promiscuity displayed by certain foreigners, their semi-nude condition, and the open consumption of drugs and alcohol at the festival led to a controversy that is now a source of embarrassment to the ruling BJP.

According to Congress allegations, the festival was a “rave party” with alcohol flowing like water and participants performing nude and obscene dances.

The CM has assured that steps will be taken against the concerned authorities once the Regional Commissioner submits his report. He said that the government has not asked the district administration of Udupi or the police to submit a report because they had organized the event.

According to the organizers, the festival was organized to promote tourism in coastal areas and to generate job opportunities. The festival comprised a number of food stalls selling local delicacies and cultural events showcasing local culture and tradition. The CM said that a couple of international bands also provided entertainment during the festival.

The CM also assured that the BJP-led state government is against the organization of any event against Indian culture.

Gopal Bhandari and U. T. Khader had raised the issue during Zero Hour and alleged that the organizers had allowed the free consumption of liquor and drugs and had permitted foreigners to move about dressed inadequately and behaving in an obscene manner. Even banned drugs such as ganja were used by foreigners, they alleged. They had also demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. 
 

Opposition Leader Siddaramaiah said that the government cannot permit the use of ganja and liquor just to promote tourism, as it is against the country’s culture. He also wanted to know what right-wing organizations, which had made headlines by beating up girls who went to pubs, were doing now. He demanded that strict action should be taken against the officers responsible for organizing such a festival.

Condemning the festival, Abhayachandra Jain said that Udupi is a temple town and such festivals will destroy its excellent reputation as a temple town.

Meanwhile, the district administration continued to claim that the event was an international art and music festival and not a rave party.