Bengaluru:
The Karnataka government has issued a set of guidelines mandating organisers of national and international music shows and tourism events to adhere to Indian culture and also share details of foreign visitors at such events.
The guidelines are not however, applicable to Bengaluru.
Though the guidelines do not define ‘Indian culture’, it is mandated that the authorities lay conditions to the organisers that the events should not violate Indian culture.
In order to ensure that organisers follow the guidelines and to issue permissions in accordance with relevant rules, the guidelines notified by the Karnataka Tourism Department provide for the constitution of a 10-member committee in each district headed by the Deputy Commissioner, excluding Bengaluru city.
The guidelines also seek video recording of the events and permit video recording by Tourism or Police department officials if anything is found “sensitive”.
The list of 28 guidelines by the department that was gazetted on February 26 has come in the wake of the alleged obscenities during the ‘Spring Zouk Music Festival’ at St. Mary’s Island in Udupi district held from February 3 to 5, 2012.
The incident, where foreigners were allegedly caught indulging in “inappropriate behaviour” as seen in video grabs, had caused huge embarrassment to the then BJP government following which it had asked the Regional Commissioner, Mysore division to inquire and submit a report.
Overnight stay at the venue of such events is restricted under the guidelines which propose that adequate transport arrangements should be made to ferry the guests back.
The guidelines also ask authorities to lay conditions relating to consumption of alcohol and banned substances before giving permission to such events and authorises the district administration to take action if there is any violation.
