Speech disrupts Khajuraho festival mood, tourists boo minister:Italian couple says ‘We came for dance, not speeches’

The world famous Khajuraho Dance Festival has begun. However, on Friday, the very first day, such a situation arose on stage that surprised the audience. Actually, Culture Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi arrived on stage to give a speech at the inauguration ceremony. The time was set for 6:30 PM, but the chief guest and other ministers arrived late to the ceremony. Domestic and foreign tourists sitting in the audience gallery were waiting for a long time. The ceremony started with almost two hours delay, which tested many people’s patience. Even after the late start, the artists maintained the grandeur of the festival by giving performances on stage. The audience enjoyed the colorful dances and cultural programs and enthusiastically welcomed the festival. This festival will continue till February 26. ‘Go Back’ slogans raised during speech Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav gave his address for about 16 minutes. MP Vishnu Dutt Sharma also spoke for 3 minutes. When Culture Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi started his speech, the audience became severely agitated. Tourists were waiting for the dance performances, but the long speeches by politicians tested their patience. Soon, the crowd sitting in front started raising ‘Go Back’ slogans and ‘boo’ sounds could be heard from all directions. Minister’s speech despite hooting The surprising thing was that despite such heavy hooting, the minister continued his speech. He spoke for about 6 minutes and in the end when the noise increased, he insisted on reciting four lines. Understanding the audience’s distress, he acknowledged from the stage that people were eager to watch the program, but still he did not leave the stage without reciting his poem and getting people to chant slogans. Foreigners said, ‘We wanted to live experience’ Foreign tourists present there expressed their displeasure over this entire incident. Alessandro from Florence, Italy said that in Italy we are used to feeling the atmosphere and watching dance, not listening to long speeches. We wanted to live the experience. Meanwhile, his companion Julia said- This place and atmosphere is wonderful, but perhaps the minister spoke a bit too much. We actually just wanted to watch the dance.