{"id":7715,"date":"2026-07-15T18:51:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T13:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaonkaari.com\/mahila-congress-raises-alarm-over-illegal-spas-dance-bars-and-womens-safety-in-goa\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T18:51:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T13:21:04","slug":"mahila-congress-raises-alarm-over-illegal-spas-dance-bars-and-womens-safety-in-goa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaonkaari.com\/mr\/mahila-congress-raises-alarm-over-illegal-spas-dance-bars-and-womens-safety-in-goa\/","title":{"rendered":"Mahila Congress Raises Alarm Over Illegal Spas, Dance Bars and Women\u2019s Safety in Goa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Panaji, July 15: The Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress has expressed serious concern over the alleged proliferation of illegal spas, massage parlours and dance bars in Calangute and Panaji, claiming that such establishments are contributing to crimes against women and tarnishing Goa\u2019s image as a safe tourist destination.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress President Dr Pratiksha Khalap questioned how illegal activities were allegedly being allowed to flourish under the guise of spas and massage parlours despite existing laws and court directions. She was accompanied by Mahila Congress General Secretary and GPCC spokesperson Adv. Lavinia D\u2019Costa, Calangute Mahila Block President Carmelina Fernandes, and GPCC spokesperson Vivek D\u2019Silva.<\/p>\n

Dr Khalap referred to the recent alleged rape of a woman who had come to Goa to work at a spa and massage parlour, describing the incident as a matter of grave concern. She alleged that numerous illegalities were taking place in Calangute and claimed that more than 40 spas were operating in Panaji.<\/p>\n

Questioning the functioning of these establishments, she asked how alleged flesh trade was being allowed to continue and under whose protection such businesses were operating. She pointed out that spas are required to obtain various licences, including health and labour clearances, but alleged that illegal activities continued despite these regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n

Dr Khalap further claimed that although courts had previously directed action against illegal operations, many such establishments continued to function. Drawing a comparison with the government’s response following the Birch fire incident, she alleged that while authorities appeared to take action, illegal activities continued unabated. She also questioned whether politicians and the police were protecting such operations.<\/p>\n

She further alleged that several spas operating in Panaji were linked to casinos and questioned the need for massage services late at night. According to her, illegal activities, including flesh trade, gambling, drugs and dance bars, were flourishing, leading to the exploitation of women and children.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the occasion, Adv. Lavinia D\u2019Costa expressed concern over the deteriorating safety environment for women in Goa. She said that unlike 15 to 20 years ago, when women could move around freely without fear, families today constantly worry about the safety of their daughters and elderly women.<\/p>\n

Referring to recent crimes against women, including reported cases involving minors, a specially-abled child and an elderly woman, D\u2019Costa said such incidents had created an atmosphere of fear across the State.<\/p>\n

She also cited statistics relating to alleged illegal spa activities in Calangute, stating that 18 cases were recorded in 2013, five in 2014, nine in 2015, eight in 2016, nine in 2017 and six in 2018. She alleged that women employed in such establishments were often vulnerable to exploitation and intimidation.<\/p>\n

GPCC spokesperson Vivek D\u2019Silva alleged that numerous spas, massage parlours and dance bars were operating round the clock in Calangute. He questioned how such establishments were being permitted to function 24 hours a day and alleged that touts continued to target tourists despite enforcement measures.<\/p>\n

D\u2019Silva further claimed that many of these businesses were allegedly operated by non-Goans and urged authorities to investigate their modus operandi. He alleged that such activities were damaging Goa\u2019s reputation and creating an atmosphere of fear. He also called for an investigation into the financial networks behind these businesses, including whether their profits were being used to fund political activities.<\/p>\n

Recalling past developments, D\u2019Silva said the then Calangute MLA had staged a hunger strike in 2015 against dance bars in the area. He noted that the Bombay High Court had intervened in 2023, leading to the sealing of 11 dance bars. However, he alleged that such establishments had resumed operations from 2025 onwards.<\/p>\n

The Mahila Congress leaders demanded strict enforcement of the law, a comprehensive investigation into illegal spas and dance bars, and stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of women in Goa. They also called upon the government, police and regulatory authorities to take immediate action against establishments found violating the law.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress has expressed serious concern over the alleged proliferation of illegal spas, massage parlours and dance bars in Calangute and Panaji, claiming that such establishments are contributing to crimes against women and tarnishing Goa\u2019s image as a safe tourist destination.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7714,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-main-story"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t