Malpe Rave party rocks Karnataka assembly, CM Sadananda Gowda orders inquiry

TNN

Bangalore, 07 Feb 2012: Taking serious objection on the rave party in St Mary’s Island near Malpe coast in Udupi district, chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda has ordered an inquiry headed by regional commissioner.

 

The Spring Zouk, the three-day rave party issue, rocked the legislative assembly on Tuesday with opposition Congress seeking action against the officials. The event was jointly organized by Udupi district administration in association with 3W Concepts aiming it as tourism promotion tool on February 3. However, the event turned out to be an ugly affair as video footages showed a foreign couple in compromising position during the party. Raising the issue, Congress members Siddaramaiah, U T Kadher, Gopal Bhandary Abhay Chandra Jain sought action against the officers. They alleged that drugs and narcotics were used by the foreigners and these festivals were not the culture of the country.

 

"We are against anything which would be contemptuous against Indian culture. This applies not only to coastal belt, but for entire Karnataka state," Gowda informed the House. He said more than 900 foreigners and people from Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and other parts of the country had participated in the festival. Over 300 tents had been installed at the Island for the tourists. M T Reju, deputy commissioner of the district maintained that such as festival in the Island was being held for the first time.

 

Congress members alleged that sale of liquor in the Island, nude and half nude women were seen, smoking of banned substances like ganja in a party were supplied in the party. The chief minister said the festival was aimed at tourism development where Local folk forms like Dollu Kunita, Kangeelu, Yakshagana, Suggi Kunitha by the Halakki tribes were also staged before the tourists. "Two International bands also performed during the event," he said.