Panaji: Sudin Dhavalikar, the Goa minister who recently demanded a ban on mini-skirts and bikinis, now says his "thoughts and sanskar" will take both Goa and India to glory.
Mr Dhavalikar, the public works department minister, was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a public event here and once again implored Goans "to steer clear of Western culture".
"Even if my effigy is burnt, no one can burn my sanskar (values) and thoughts. I will continue to take them to the people until I can. These alone will bring glory to Goa and India over time," the minister said.
Last month, Mr Dhavalikar earned huge criticism for saying, "Young girls wearing short skirts in nightclubs are a threat to Goan culture. This habit of young girls wearing short dresses everywhere does not fit the Goan culture. We should not allow this. It should be stopped."
He also advised women to stop drinking "because it is not good for their health".
Many people in Goa, a popular tourism destination known for its beaches and nightlife, were up in arms. Fashion designer Wendell Rodricks in an open letter to Mr Dhavalikar even asked him to wear a loin cloth to work, if he really believed in shutting out Western culture.
And the Congress in Goa sent him a pink skirt.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was forced to step in then and clarify that bikinis could not be banned. But after a private conversation with Mr Dhavalikar, Mr Parrikar had also said that he agreed with the sentiment of his minister.
