Panaji, April 4 The Goa leg of Grammy award-winning DJ 'Black Coffee' was cancelled at the last minute on Friday evening after a prior permission was revoked, citing Good Friday, a solemn occasion for the Christian community, and considering the sentiments of locals.
The "Sunset-to-Night" event was part of Black Coffee's tour of India, according to sources on Saturday.
The revocation of permission by the Communidade of Anjuna, in whose land the event was scheduled to be held, followed objections from locals and the opposition Congress, citing the solemnity of Good Friday and the upcoming Easter Sunday.
Local police officials confirmed that the organizers of "Sunset to Night" have cancelled the event, leaving many attendees disappointed.
Sebastian D'Souza, an attorney for the Communidade of Anjuna, in a letter addressed to the organizers, stated that the permission granted to them on March 4, 2026, to host the musical event on April 3 in survey number 206/1 of Anjuna village has been unanimously revoked by the managing committee.
D'Souza stated that the date coincides with Holy Week, particularly Good Friday.
"This decision was made in the interest of the residents of Anjuna, Vagator, and Chapora," the letter reads.
The Communidade of Anjuna is a traditional, collective land-holding institution in North Goa, part of the twelve comunidades of Bardez.
A large crowd gathered outside the venue on Friday night as news of the cancellation spread.
Several netizens posted reels on social media claiming they were informed about the cancellation at the last minute.
Earlier, the Congress had objected to hosting such an event on the sacred occasion of Good Friday, calling it "deeply insensitive and unacceptable."
"Your event, @Paradoxindia_, in Goa on the sacred occasion of Good Friday is deeply insensitive and unacceptable. @RealBlackCoffee, this is not just about music; it is about respecting faith. By going ahead with a techno show on a day of mourning for Christians, you have hurt religious sentiments not just in Goa, but across the world," Amit Patkar, President of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, had written on X.
"We demand immediate cancellation and an apology from you. Faith cannot be disrespected in the name of entertainment. You have insulted religious sentiments. Respect Faith. Respect Humanity," he added.