Goa govt files police complaint against social media user who said foreign tourists staying away

According to Kale, the entrepreneur “disseminated false data through his social media X handles, thereby causing significant annoyance to local businesses and inducing fear or alarm within the local community”.

The person, who has about 22,500 followers on X and describes himself as the founder of an “online legal learning platform”, did not respond to a message and an email by The Indian Express seeking a comment.

The post Kale ostensibly refers to reads: “Foreign tourists have abandoned (Goa) already. Look at 2019 v 2023 numbers. Russians and Brits who used to visit annually have opted for Sri Lanka instead. Indian tourists still visiting, but soon likely to ditch it as word spreads about exploitation of tourists while there are so many cheaper comparable locations abroad.” Alongside was a chart that suggested foreign tourists to Goa were dwindling.

In the complaint, Kale wrote, “Goa has long been recognised as a prominent tourism destination for both domestic and international visitors. The propagation of such false statements not only jeopardises the reputation of our state but also poses a serious threat to public tranquillity. The Department of Tourism is particularly concerned that these actions may be part of a hidden agenda aimed at undermining Goa’s state image.”

The complaint states that the entrepreneur “referenced China Economic Information Center (CEIC) data in his post; however, the credibility of this data is questionable as he neither consulted with the Department of Tourism prior to posting nor validated the data he collected”.

“His false assumptions regarding future tourist footfalls in Goa further exacerbate the situation. The statements… appear to have the intent to cause public unrest and may induce individuals to commit offences against the State or against public tranquillity. The post in question has incited considerable provocation on social media platforms and has attracted various unscrupulous elements that threaten the peace and safety of our local community. It is evident that these actions constitute a breach of public peace and could severely damage Goa’s image as a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. In light of the serious nature of these allegations and their potential ramifications for Goa’s tourism sector, we urge your esteemed office to take immediate and appropriate legal action,” it states.

Rahul Gupta, SP, Cyber Crime, Goa, said, “We are yet to formally receive the complaint. We will look into the concerns mentioned in the complaint and take action accordingly.”

The complaint comes days after the tourism department, grappling with criticism on social media of Goa’s tourism infrastructure – from cabs to hotels – issued a statement in the state’s defence.

Issued earlier this week, the statement read, “Goa, like any other tourist destination, is governed by market forces and at times the air and hotel components make Goa expensive, leaving the potential tourist seeking alternate options. However, Goa has and will always continue to rise to challenge to solidify its position as a top holiday destination for a diverse range of travellers.” It also said that comparing a state in India to another country like Sri Lanka may yield an “inaccurate perspective”.