MUMBAI (Reuters)-plans to open the first Playboy club of India Goa coastal State hit a stumbling block, with local politicians, rejecting the idea of "bunnies" on its pristine beaches amid increasing pressure for better treatment of women after a fatal gang rape last year.
The India has strict censorship laws and there is no Indian version of Playboy Magazine, but the promoters of the Playboy brand in India last year revealed plans to open clubs around the country, with adapted dress to fit Indian mores.
A legislator from the right-wing of the party that rules the State had threatened a hunger strike if the Government allowed Playboy set up a shop in Goa, saying you want to tarnish the image of the State.
"If the Government had to give a license to Playboy, amounts to giving a license for prostitution," Michael Lobo told Reuters, adding that Playboy promoted vulgarity.
"We respect our women," she said. "We don't want to promote Goa as sex tourism destination like Thailand."
Tens of thousands of tourists visit Goa during the peak season, October to March to enjoy the golden beaches, which are also famous for night-long parties.
Media reports suggest that many other politicians and women's groups share concerns of Lobo, but the Bharatiya Janata Party which rules Goa has not officially made his displeasure known.
Monday, however, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the State Assembly that Playboy license application had been rejected for "technical reasons", citing rules that allow such licenses for individuals, but not companies.
Playboy Club are part of the hedonistic lifestyle promoted by the octogenarian Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy magazine with pictures of nude women. Playboy clubs around the world feature waitresses dressed in black satin corsets, neckties, wristbands and rabbit ears.
The clash highlights the increasing pressure for a more restrictive climate in India after the brutal gang rape of a young woman in the capital of New Delhi in December caused widespread outrage about attitudes towards women.
Undaunted, the promoters of the Playboy brand in India-PB Lifestyle, which has a licensing agreement with US-based Playboy Enterprises Inc.-said want to try again.
"There are some technical glitches that we must correct and then you can take it from there, said Sanjay Gupta, CEO of PB Lifestyle."I can't predict what will be the decision of the Government ".
Gupta said they tried to secure the Playboy club clothes did not offend the Indian sensibility, even toning down characteristic bunny costumes for local tastes-a first for Playboy clubs around the world.
He added that the property of Goa was intended not as a nightclub, but as a beach café where women were given special privileges. He did not specify what were those privileges.
"The environment and the atmosphere that we're creating are women friendly," said Gupta. "It's not a male bastion, spouses are more than welcome."
The company plans to open Playboy Clubs in other Indian cities.
(Written by Tony Tharakan, Editing by Elaine Lies and Michael Perry)
No comments:
Post a Comment