Goa MLA has violated dignity of women: Annie Raja

Reacting to of BJP MLA Lavoo Mamledar's plans for creating a bikini beach in the state, women's rights activist Annie Raja said on Saturday that the former is violating the dignity of women.

"It is an absolutely anti-women statement, as it violates the dignity of women. How dare the minister talk like this? The chief minister should take action against it. It is high time for the Goa Government to intervene in the matter," said Raja.

"It is a criminal statement, and action should be taken. I don't know what the BJP and other parties are thinking about women," she added.

Earlier, Congress Party leader Rashid Alvi said that Mamledar's statement exposed the double-faced nature of the ruling party, while Goa Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat said that such statements will ruin the state's image both nationally and internationally.

Mamledar, who is a former police officer, had said that if tourism had to be promoted and is necessary, then there could be a bikini beach with entry fees in Goa.

A week back, Goa Public Works Department Minister Sudhin Dhavalikar had said that bikinis should be banned on the state's public beaches which drew criticism from various party leaders and women rights activists.