Playboy bunnies prompt hunger strike threat in Indian party town Goa
Right-wing local politician threatens hunger strike against bar he says demeans women
Already upset with Goa's growing reputation - possibly justified - for alcohol, drugs and sex, local politicians are taking up cudgels against the Playboy bar scheduled to open in India's prime tourist destination.
Michael Lobo of the Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party plans to go on a hunger strike if the government allows the bar to open because he feels it will "defame" Goa and put off families.
"Playboy does nothing but lower the dignity of women. It treats them as commodities and the basic concept of Playboy is the entertainment of men by semi-naked women. We don't want this here," he said.
In a strange anomaly, Playboy magazine is banned in India. Yet PB Lifestyle, a Mumbai-based company licensed to market Playboy merchandise, plans to open 120 clubs, bars, and hotels in India over the next 10 years.
Lobo, who called Playboy "a byword for prostitution, vulgarity and decadence", is vocal in his opposition because the bar is opening in Candolim beach, which is in his constituency.
Other right-wing groups in Goa, whose affiliates elsewhere in India oppose Valentine's Day, couples holding hands in public, and women wearing jeans, are supporting his campaign.