Tourism minister Naik raises hackles with ‘pub culture’ remark

Union minister of state with independent charge of tourism Shripad Naik said on Sunday that the ''pub culture'' in India and particularly the tourist state of Goa needs to be controlled, and that tourism should not be promoted on its basis.

''Pub culture does not suit our country and hence we should try to control it. We should not sell our tourism on pub culture,'' Naik said.

His statement comes soon after a recent remark by Goa minister Sudin Dhavalikar seeking a ban on bikinis on beaches, and saying that pubs were against our country's culture, and women should not drink as it is ''not good for their health''.

Refusing to comment on the statement by Dhavalikar on banning bikinis, Naik said, ''I don't know what was in minister's mind when he made the statement.''

After Dhavalikar's demand, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar had ruled out banning wearing of bikinis on the state's beaches.

Meanwhile, Naik reiterated that anything that went against the culture of the country would not be accepted.

He had added that other branches of tourism needed to be promoted as pub culture was not in the interest of the country.

He comments came at a tourism related event at the Goan tourist destination of Dona Paula.