So, the party’s officially over now. Dance bars and beach raves have been banned in the state. Yes, like totally out. Goa CM Mr Manohar Parrikar, also known as “Mr Clean”, has been on a massive clean-up drive in Goa ever since he was elected CM in 2012. In his Independence Day speech, he announced his decision to ban dance bars. The move is an attempt to counter the rising crime in the wake of rave parties and drug peddling in Goa.

I take this opportunity to say that dance bars will not be allowed in Goa. [...] There has been a lot of image-beating for the state due to the existence of drugs and prostitution on the beaches. We will clean it up.

The State’s focus on safety has been propelled by the recent increase in high-profile crime cases in Goa. In 2008, the rape and murder of 15-year-old British Teenager Scarlet Keeling lay bare the dark underbelly of Goa. The incident prompted a tightening on nightclubs and rave parties. A recent development has been the rise of ‘Silent Discos’ – where clubbers wear headphones to listen to the music as opposed to booming speakers which add to noise pollution.

Mr Parrikar has laid down a few other measures to contain the law and order situation in Goa. Police personnel are required to keep patrolling on the beaches until midnight; previously they would monitor the beaches only till sunset.  Further, pubs and discos are required to shut down by 1.00 a.m. as against the former 5 a.m. deadline.

The decision hasn’t gone unopposed. It is being lamented over as another blow to tourism in Goa. Francisco Braganca of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa said:

Goa is known for its nightlife. It is one of the attractions for the high-end tourists coming into Goa. We need to strike a balance and need to allow certain clubs and discos that have a certain standard to remain open late in the night.