Goa Deputy Speaker apologizes for minister's comments

Goa Deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo on Tuesday offered an apology for Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar's comment against Lamanis, a nomadic tribal community.

Lobo, addressing a press conference, said Ajgaonkar had erred in making a statement demanding banning of Lamanis from Goa last week.

"I apologise on behalf of the party and the coalition parties in the government. The minister must consider apologising. It is up to him," Lobo said.

On April 3, Ajgaonkar said: "Outsiders who can uphold 'Goenkarponn' (Goanness) should be allowed to stay, the rest should be chased away. Goa's culture and 'Goenkarponn' should be retained. These Lamanis should be stopped (from coming to Goa). A wrong message is sent because of them and the reputation of Goans is spoilt. This has to be done."

Lamanis, known for their colourful costumes, are involved in the seasonal tourism trade, selling trinkets and handmade clothes along the coastline to the hundreds of thousands of tourists who frequent the state.

Several thousand Lamanis have also settled in Goa.

Lobo said that while there was a need to control hawkers on Goa's popular beaches, there was no reason for Ajgaonkar to tarnish the Lamani community.

"I have already spoken to the minister and told him that there was a mistake on his part. What he wanted to say was hawkers but he said Lamanis instead," the Deputy Speaker said.

Ajgaonkar's comments had attracted criticism from Goa and also Karnataka, where politicians condemned the Tourism Minister's comments.

--IANS

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