MARGAO, 27 August: Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik has called for stronger legislation and enforcement to prevent Goa from being transformed into what he described as a “sin destination”, claiming that drugs, crime, prostitution and casinos pose a greater threat to the State than religious conversion.

“Goa needs a law not against religious conversions, but against the conversion of our beautiful land into a destination for crime, drugs, murder, rape, prostitution and casinos,” Naik said.

Referring to replies furnished in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Naik claimed that only four cases relating to religious conversion were registered in the State between 2012 and 2025 and that the FIRs were subsequently quashed by the High Court.

“These figures expose the misplaced narrative around religious conversions. The real concern confronting Goa today is the alarming transformation of our tourism identity and social fabric,” he said.

Naik alleged that Goa was increasingly being projected as a destination associated with drugs, prostitution, casinos and other criminal activities instead of its traditional image built around natural beauty, culture, communal harmony and a peaceful way of life.

“A land known for its natural beauty, culture, communal harmony and peaceful way of life cannot be allowed to be reduced to a playground for crime, drugs and immoral activities,” Naik said.

He urged the State Government to concentrate its resources on issues directly affecting Goans, particularly women’s safety, organised crime and the drug menace.

“Instead of creating fear over an issue where the Assembly’s own replies show only four cases over thirteen years, the Government must focus on the issues that are affecting ordinary Goans every day. Women must feel safe, families must feel secure and our youth must be protected from the drug menace,” he added.

Madganvcho Awaaz has demanded stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to tackle drugs, rape, murder, prostitution, human trafficking and other organised criminal activities.

Naik said the government should adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach towards such crimes while ensuring that Goa’s tourism industry remains responsible, safe and sustainable.

He has also tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a social media post, seeking their attention to what he described as the need to safeguard Goa’s identity and social fabric.

“The issue is not about which religion a person follows; it is about what kind of Goa we are leaving behind for our children. Goa needs protection from its conversion into a sin destination,” Naik said.