Travelers are being warned about a potential threat when traveling to Goa, India. Last week a group of Hindu nationalists announced that it will target British women that consume alcohol in the popular beach bars in Goa.
The Sri Ram Sena group has been labeled a “Hindu Taliban” by detractors who object to its violent protests. The group wants to stem the ‘creeping westernization” of the traditional values and culture of India. They claim that western culture is to blame for tragedies such as last year’s gang rape and murder of a British teen in Goa.
The group is believed to be behind assaults on couples who court in public and younger women found drinking in bars. They reportedly kidnapped the daughter of a politician after rumors surfaced that she was dating a Muslim.
In addition to targeting couples on Valentine’s Day, the group attacked a pub in Mangalore, Karnataka, assaulting women who were sharing after-work drinks with male co-workers.
The leader of the group, Pramod Muthalik, is targeting Goa due to its hedonistic culture. The state is famous for its fabulous beaches, bars, and decadent 5 star hotels Goa. Muthalik considers it to be the “centre of an immoral culture” spreading across the country.
While Indian officials have denounced the attacks, many citizens seem to agree that discouraging Westerners from going to the pubs is the first step in getting the bars and clubs removed alltogether.

