Sudin Dhavalikar clearifies

Goa Minister Sudin Dhavalikar today beat a retreat after being pilloried for his comments calling for a ban on bikinis in beaches and drinking in pubs. "I withdraw the statement if it has hurt anybody. I was misunderstood. I had no intention of hurting women - I was only concerned about their safety," the 57-year-old told NDTV, hours after being asked for an explanation by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Mr Dhavalikar, a member of BJP ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, has provoked sharp criticism for a series of statements. He told NDTV, "For their own protection on public beaches, women should not wear bikinis. I am not against wearing bikinis in private places.", he also said, "Pub culture is not Indian culture and we don't want Western culture. Young people go drinking and it often leads to law and order problems. Our sisters and daughters are getting spoilt. Goa was a city of temples and churches. We don't want pub-tourism."

Retracting those comments, he said he had "no problem with men or women drinking but it must be in control."