Limits not crossed, says CM

Spring Zouk fest: The event has stirred a hornets nest

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has defended the ‘Spring Zouk Island Festival-2012’ organised at St Mary’s Island in Malpe, saying such events were necessary to attract foreigners so as to develop tourism in the coastal region.

But the festival has attracted widespread criticism, including from Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. The fest had been organised by the Department of Tourism, in association with some private organisations.

Speaking to reporters at the Adi Udupi helipad, on his arrival for the inauguration of the Vishwakarma Sammelana on Sunday, the chief minister said: “Tourism has not taken off in the State’s coastal districts like in Goa and Kerala. Tourism should be showcased on our 350-km coastline. This will generate employment as well as revenue for the State. It is for this reason that the government organised an international music festival here. However, some people are creating hurdles for development. We will not tolerate such attempts.”

“The fest was organised for the first time. Therefore, there may have been minor shortcomings. But the media reported that immoral activities had taken place on a large scale. I am in touch with the district administration and the police. There have been no such activities,” Gowda said.

A no-holds-barred nite
On Saturday night, St Mary’s Island turned hippy land with almost nil restrictions. Sources told Deccan Herald that there were 1,000 to 2,000 people from various countries, most of them claiming to be ‘hippies’. Many from Goa were also at the event.  They consumed unlimited alcohol and narcotics, paying huge bucks, despite the presence of the police.

While the district administration had permitted the programmes till 11 pm, they actually began only by 11 pm and went on till 11 am on Sunday. The jam packed music concert schedule offered unlimited entertainment.

Music bands like ‘Highlight Tribe,’ ‘Arjuna,’ ‘Juno Reactor,’ ‘EVP,’ ‘Reality Grid,’ ‘Vibra Sphere’ and ‘DJ Mush’ performed non-stop for 12 hours. Though Coast Guards and additional police force had been deployed to check the supply of narcotics, the revelers had a field day.

Tourism not at cost of decency: Moily
Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily rebuked the chief minister saying that tourism should not be at the cost of decency and law.

The Union minister, while speaking to reporters in the city, where he had arrived to take part in the valedictory of the Vishwakarma Sammelana, said: “We don’t need hippy culture to promote tourism and absolutely nothing similar to that in Goa. It is the responsibility of the Central and State governments to endorse local culture and tradition in tourism development. The government should formulate tourism policies that benefit local culture. It is indeed necessary to develop tourism. However, it should not misguide the youth.”

He said the district administration and police should be held responsible for the event at St Mary’s Island, held in the name of entertainment. Moily said he had held talks with the Union Tourism Minister on the master plan to develop tourism in the coastal belt of Karnataka.

BJP’s concern for culture fake: HDK
Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has criticised the government for permitting the fest. It reflects the BJP’s “fake concern” towards preserving the culture and essence of Hindutva, the former chief minister said.

Speaking to reporters at Padubidri, Kumaraswamy said it is the responsibility of each individual to protect the culture and tradition of the land. It is a known fact that drug trafficking is taking place extensively in many places across coastal Karnataka. People’s representatives from BJP are supporting the illegal act, he alleged.

There should be certain restrictions while promoting tourism. It should not go beyond cultural decency, Kumaraswamy added.