Indian tourist destination bans kissing in public

An Indian village in the popular coastal state of Goa has imposed a ban on couples kissing in public, claiming the sight of such “obscene” behaviour is unwanted by local residents. The village parliament of Salvador-de-Mundo, eight miles north of Goa’s capital Panaji, unanimously passed a resolution this week warning holidaymakers against engaging in public displays of affection.

“We have adopted this resolution following complaints from villagers about couples kissing in public. This was the only way to put an end to it,” deputy village chief Reena Fernandes said on Thursday. She said they had complained to local authorities but a lack of response had forced the council to take matters into its own hands and pass a resolution which also “banned public drinking and playing loud music.”



However, she declined to comment on whether punitive action will be taken against potential violators of the bylaws. “We have serene beaches which attract tourists in a big way. Several times we saw couples acting indecently which irked us,” villager Savio Rebeiro sid. The fishing hub on the Arabian sea coastline has now displayed banners reading: "Commit no nuisance, visitors keep our village clean, drinking alcohol, smoking, loud music, kissing in public, nuisances in public are strictly prohibited here," in public places to spread awareness of the prohibitions.

Goa’s long sandy beaches have long been a haven for millions of tourists drawn mostly from the West, but a string of controversial statements by local politicians has dented its tourist-friendly image. Last year a top Goa minister demanded a ban on wearing bikinis on beaches, drawing criticism from the public and tourism industry.