Goa's ruling netas switch focus to men's brief

Male tourists should be barred from wearing cotton briefs or torn underwear on beaches and instead wear proper swimming trunks to avoid vulgarity and promote safe swimming, the BJP MLA from the coastal constituency of Calangute has said.

"Many male tourists are seen sporting dirty worn out underwear... Proper swimwear is available at all shops along the beach stretch," Michael Lobo said.

"Let there be cops on the beaches fining these errant tourists until they learn some discipline," he said.

Lobo said that wearing swim-wear on beaches is compulsory in countries like Singapore, Dubai and Malaysia and that it should be made mandatory in Goa.

"Goa should raise its standards. These cheap tourists are of no benefit to the state. They don't stay in hotels, they cook their own food, they sleep on the beach. They buy only booze in Goa, that too because it is cheaper here. If people are made to follow the law elsewhere, they should follow it here too.

Last month, politicians from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) alliance triggered controversy by seeking a ban on bikinis in Goa, claiming it was vulgar and against "Indian culture", with one legislator even suggesting creating a special 'bikini beach' with paid entry.