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India's Sunburn festival in danger of closing as minister speaks out against EDM

"It’s my duty to oppose a festival of this kind tooth and nail," said Minister for Water Resources, Vinod Palyekar...

The fate of Goa’s major EDM festival Sunburn is in jeopardy as the state's Minister for Water Resources, Vinod Palyekar, has recently expressed his dislike for late-night festivals, vowing to close events such as Sunburn in the future.

The reasons are down to the “infestation” of drug trafficking along the Anjuna and Vagator beach stretches, resulting in overdoses allegedly linked with festivals and music events.

Speaking in a press conference, Palyekar has said, “How can we allow them to come back? I will not allow EDMs (festivals) to happen again in the state especially in my own constituency.”

“As a true Goemkar, it’s my duty to oppose a festival of this kind tooth and nail. At any cost, I will not allow (EDM) to malign state’s image.”

Back in April the minister claimed that 80% of EDM festivals have already been closed down in the area, and that the rest were to be shut down in the “coming weeks”.

However, Sunburn have maintained active on social media recently, promising fans of “major announcements” regarding the festival, which is meant to take place in December.

Dubbed Asia’s largest four-day EDM festival, it has featured huge names like Avicii, Armin Van Buuren, Dash Berlin, Deadmau5, Swedish House Mafia and many more since 2011.

If, like DJ Mag, you want to know what is happening to Sunburn, then keep an eye on the festival’s facebook page.

Words: Oliver Payne