Black Magic by Russian tourists in Goa? Activist Shreha Dhargalkar demands probe

PERNEM: After several residents of Pernem taluka complained that a Russian theatre group based in North Goa were practicing black magic and other anti-social occult activity, activist Shreha Dhargalkar called for a proper enquiry into the incident.

According to an ANI news report, the Russian artistes refuted the allegations of occult and black magic and said they do not support any cult or religious organization and are mere artistes.

A theatrical performance based on the life of King Vikramaditya by Russian artistes was disrupted by panchayat members at Paliem Pernem in North Goa last month. The panchayat members and other residents of the area alleged that the foreign nationals were practicing black magic. Others complained that Indian history was being distorted by the Russians.

Russian Federation citizen Olga Makhnovetsky and Belarusian national Mikola Dranich along with other artistes were performing the re-enactment of the story in Russian. The foreign nationals said they were misunderstood and only performed a story linked to Indian cultural history, but locals in Pernem, which is the bordering district with Maharashtra on the northern border, do not believe them.

“We do not support any cult or religious outfit. We are just theatre performers. The story performed has a strong legacy of Indian culture,” Olga Makhnovetsky was quoted by ANI. The Russians said they had informed the local panchayat in advance about their performance.

But Dhargalkar said there cannot be smoke without fire. There must be something fishy, that is why Pernem locals are angry, she stated.

Speaking to this reporter, Shreha said, “Russians are most welcome to Goa, but portraying Indian history or Indian rulers in bad light or in a comical manner, even though it may be a part of an artistic portrayal or presentation is not acceptable to Goans. Would you do the same to Putin or any other Russian ruler,” Shreha asked?

In a new development, one more social worker from Pernem taluka area, Antonio Fernandes has accused the Russian actors of practicing black magic and some mumbo jumbo, which he said should be stopped. “They have come here as tourists. We encourage art and culture, but doing things that are unacceptable to the community will not be allowed,” Fernandes said.