Panaji, April 20 (IANS) A senior minister in the Congress-led coalition government in Goa has publicly appealed to police and the opposition to support and encourage gambling during religious festivals, evoking sharp response from several quarters.
Sports minister Manohar Asgaonkar's appeal in support of gambling at a public function Saturday at Pernem, some 35 km from here, has invited criticism from opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and social and religious groups.
"How can you stop (jugaar) gambling? People want this (gambling) to continue. There needs to be backing for this. On this even the BJP is supporting us," said Asgaonkar, a legislator from the reserved constituency of Dhargal.
He was speaking as chief guest during a function held to felicitate a local police inspector Uttam Rautdessai for meritorious work.
Rautdessai was recently in news for creating a ruckus onboard an offshore casino, where he was partying along with other police officials.
"Where there is a zatra (feast), there is gambling and without gambling the zatra does not work. Devasthan (temple) committees do not get anything. Without gambling zatra does not work. Zatra does not get support," Asgaonkar said at the function where state BJP president Laxmikant Parsenkar was also present.
Asgaonkar said politicians had come under severe pressure after gambling was stopped during religious festivals.
"If it is allowed in some places and banned in others, then we come under pressure. We are political people," the minister said.
Traditional forms of gambling like pat (a board game) and godhood (dice) during religious fairs and festivals are believed to be a multi-crore-rupee industry, operated by a mafia which functions by paying kickbacks to local politicians and police officials.
Gambling during religious occasions also provides handsome remuneration to temple committees which organises these galas.
Speaking to IANS, Sudesh Naik, president of the Mandrem Civic Forum (MCF) which has been crusading against gambling during religious festivals, said Asgaonkar's speech was unbecoming of a minister.
"It is disgusting to see a minister in the government speak like this at a public function," Naik said.
He said the MCF would be submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Goa Governor S.S. Sidhu seeking action against Asgaonkar.
State BJP president Parsenkar, who was present at the function, did not categorically condemn Asgaonkar's speech. But in a subsequent reaction, the senior BJP leader admonished the minister calling his speech "childish".
"Gambling simply cannot be supported. It has to be curbed," the BJP president said.
Convenor of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Jayesh Thali has also condemned Asgaonkar's support to gambling.
"We have been against any gambling during religious festivals. It is sad that a minister is encouraging a social evil like this," he said.