Goa Minister sparks controversy with 'Modi will develop India into a Hindu state' statement

Panaji: Days after his minister brother triggered a controversy by demanding a ban on wearing bikinis on Goa's beaches, Cooperation Minister Dipak Dhavalikar today appeared to have waded into another, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi will develop India into a Hindu nation.

"I am confident that under the leadership of Modiji, India will develop into a Hindu nation. Prime Minister will work in this regard is what I feel," he said while speaking in state assembly on a motion congratulating Modi on BJP's electoral victory.

Both Dhavalikar brothers -- Sudin and Dipak -- belonging to Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, an ally of BJP, are ministers in the Manohar Parrikar government.

"Wearing bikinis should be banned on Goa's beaches," Sudin Dhavalikar, the state's transport minister, had said earlier this month.

Before that, he had slammed the "young girls going to pubs in short dresses" as it was against Goan culture.

"Young girls going to pubs in short dresses does not fit in our culture. What will happen to our Goan culture if we allow this?... Scantily-dressed girls visiting pubs project a wrong culture and this should be stopped," he had said.

Sudin had later withdrawn his comments that provoked outrage in the state whose beaces and pubs swarm with tourists, including lakhs of foreigners.