Event had allowed minors to attend while promoting unlimited beer
Panaji, Goa — In a major success for the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), the ‘Hyatt Centric Holi Bash’ party that was scheduled for 4 March at the five-star Hyatt Centric hotel in Candolim has been cancelled after HJS lodged a complaint with the authorities. The event had drawn objections as it permitted children aged eight years and above to participate while advertising unlimited beer and other alcoholic beverages.
The information regarding the cancellation was conveyed to the Samiti by Calangute Police Station Inspector Laxi Amonkar. Earlier, the Samiti had submitted a complaint to the North Goa district administration and the police opposing the event.
In its complaint, the Samiti pointed out that the ‘Hyatt Centric Holi Bash’ party was promoting unlimited beer while allowing children aged eight years and above to participate. The Samiti had also raised the matter with the Women and Child Development Department.
Taking note of the complaint filed by the Samiti, the North Goa district administration instructed the police authorities to verify whether organisers of ‘Holi parties’ along the North Goa coastal belt had obtained the necessary security-related permissions. Following this, the ‘Hyatt Centric Holi Bash’ party involving minor boys and girls was cancelled.
The Samiti stated that some nightclubs, five-star hotels and river cruises in Goa are organising such events that tarnish the Holi festival, which symbolises the destruction of evil tendencies and the promotion of virtuous values. The Samiti has demanded that the Government and the police should not grant permission for such parties in the future and should take strict action against those who organise them.
HJS demands immediate halt to the ‘distorted’ Holi parties in Goa nightclubs
February 27, 2026
Panaji, Goa – Several nightclubs and river cruises in Goa have organised ‘Holi parties’ ahead of the festival in March. These events feature ‘rain dance’, ‘pool party madness’, ‘Bollywood DJ’, ‘Indian dhol dance’, and more. At the ‘Hyatt Centric Holi Bash’ party, unlimited beer will be served, along with a variety of alcoholic drinks. Children aged 8 and above are permitted to take part in this event. This is likely to create a distorted and incorrect impression of the sacred Hindu festival of Holi.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has strongly objected to this and submitted a memorandum to North Goa’s Additional District Collector, Prashant Parab, demanding an immediate halt to these parties. The delegation from the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti included the HJS Goa State Organiser Satyavijay Naik, Rajshree Gadkar from the Ranragini wing, Shubha Sawant, Hemshree Gadkar, and Dilip Shetye.
The memorandum states that, Holi is a festival that destroys evil tendencies and inauspicious thoughts while spreading the message of good conduct. However, some nightclubs in Goa are tarnishing this sacred festival. Commercialising a celebration tied to religious and cultural traditions is inappropriate. It is creating a wrong image of Holi in the minds of the younger generation.
Highlighting safety risks in the wake of the tragic fire at a nightclub in Arpora in December 2025, the memorandum also calls for a thorough check on whether the nightclubs organising these ‘Holi parties’ possess the necessary safety licences and permits.
Legal action against those allowing minors to participate
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has also lodged a complaint with the North Goa Superintendent of Police, Harish Madkaikar, seeking legal action against the organisers of the ‘Hyatt Centric Holi Bash’ for allowing minors to participate in an event where unlimited beer is being served. A copy of the complaint has also been sent to the Director of Women and Child Development, Mrs Jyoti Desai.
