The Union Cabinet and her senior minister is yet to approve, but newly appointed Minister of State for Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bhavnaben Chikalia has already made up her mind to ban discos at ITDC hotels.In an interview with The Indian Express, she said she would even suggest to private hotels in Delhi to close their discos and start promoting classical music and dances. ‘‘It’s against our culture and these Western practices are having a bad influence on our Bharatiya Sanskriti,’’ she said.‘‘Our hotels should showcase traditional dance, classical music and cultural programmes. When foreign tourists arrive they should be able to experience our diverse and rich culture there,’’ Bhavnaben, who is touring her home-constituency Junagadh at present, said.When asked what right she and her ministry had to do such cultural and moral policing, she said: ‘‘This is not cultural or moral policing. My point is we should project our Indian culture at ITDC hotels instead of Western culture. You go abroad and see Indians and especially Gujaratis preserve our culture much better than us. Navratri is observed with as much tradition as we do even in United States. Why do we have to ape Western culture when we have such a great tradition?’’Chikalia says, she will spread this message where ever she will go. ‘‘Next week I will be in Delhi and I will suggest the same thing to private hotels although this is not binding on them,’’ she said.But isn’t this very much like the Taliban and its moral police? ‘‘The Taliban used religion to ban everything. I am not propagating this in the name of religion but for the sake of preserving and promoting our culture. What is wrong in talking of our sanskriti?’’Chikalia claims her decision gains significance because many Westerners who have understood and realised the importance of our rich cultural heritage are now looking toward India and its traditions with respect. ‘‘Many foreigners are adopting Indian way of living and its traditions because they find it very fulfuling,’’ she says. ‘‘I am determined to promote our sanskriti and culture now,’’ she added.However, this is Chikalia’s personal decision. Her senior and Cabinet Minister Jagmohan is not even aware of this proposal to stop discos at ITDC hotels. ‘‘I will speak to him next week and work out other details because we want to extend this idea to as many places as possible. Then we will forward it to the cabinet for approval,’’ Chikalia said.
