Activist Shreha Dhargalkar demands action against tattoo shops for using non-sterile equipment

Panaji: Popular activist and women’s rights worker Shreha Dhargalkar  has asked for action against for not using sterilized tools. Speaking to media persons in the capital city of Goa she alleged that several illegal tattoo shops have sprung up in the coastal belt  in the state as well as in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, which are exploiting women.

Most of these tattoo artists are also connected with the film industry and use models and actors to promote their business, but also exploit these actors and models in the long run.

Coming down heavily on illegal and unhygienic tattoo studios, shops and outlets in major metro cities of India as well as the tourism state of Goa, Shreha, while speaking to media persons said, “Many tattoo shops do not have a panchayat or Municipal license, forget about a FDA license. In the USA it is compulsory for tattoo shops and artistes to obtain an USFDA license,” she stated, alleging that the water used for mixing inks and pigments in many tattoo shops is not sterile and can result in a severe infection.

When it comes to the tattoo business, most of the shops are run by fly-by-night operators who invest in the shops and hand them over to novices to handle on a commission basis. They exploit women and models and some of them also sell or peddle drugs, Shreha alleged.