I will raise the issue in the Assembly : Ashok Patil, MLA, Shiv Sena

Campaign against ‘Sunburn Festival’ by the Anti-Narcotics Action Movement continues

Ashok Patil (right) receiving the memorandum, with Satish Sonar in the centre

Bhandup (Mumbai) – Satish Sonar, representing the Anti-Narcotics Action Movement, submitted a memorandum to Shiv Sena MLA Ashok Patil of Bhandup (West) opposing the ‘Sunburn Festival’. Patil assured that “if the schedule permits, I will try to raise this issue in the Assembly with support from a few colleagues”. A memorandum was also handed over to Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Mulund, Mihir Kotecha. As part of the ongoing campaign against the ‘Sunburn Festival’ scheduled in Sewri from 19 to 21 December, memoranda are being submitted to government offices, elected representatives and social organisations. Activists are visiting colleges, schools, coaching classes, temples, public institutions and residential complexes to create public awareness among youth and parents.

A memorandum was also submitted to Laxman Raut (left), Secretary of the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and Deputy Secretary Vandana Jain. The memorandum was handed over by Dhanashree Kelshikar, Satish Sonar and Ravindra Dasari.

Mihir Kotecha (centre) receiving the memorandum from Satish Sonar (left)

1. This so-called ‘festival’, misleadingly branded as just entertainment, is being held in Mumbai this year despite its history of drug abuse, obscenity and evasion of taxes running into crores of rupees.

2. Given its controversial past involving narcotics, obscenity and tax evasion, the question arises – how is such an event even granted permission ?