Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde urged Govinda teams in Thane to prioritise safety during Dahi Handi celebrations, telling participants at Tembhi Naka that the festival should preserve tradition rather than become a life-threatening competition.
Shinde addressed Govinda teams during his visit to the Tembhi Naka Dahi Handi event, where he spoke about the risks involved in forming human pyramids and advised participants to celebrate with enthusiasm while taking precautions. The event was organised through the Tembhi Naka Mitra Mandal.
“Dahi Handi is not meant for a life-threatening competition but to preserve tradition,” Shinde said, according to the report. He reminded Govindas that their parents were waiting for them at home and asked them to take care of their safety along with maintaining the festive spirit.
The Dahi Handi celebration involves participants forming tiers of people to reach and break a suspended earthen pot. Shinde said teams were forming pyramids of up to 10 tiers this year and emphasised that no group should risk lives in an attempt to break the handi. He called for teamwork and safer participation, asking members to ensure that their colleagues were not injured while the tiers were being assembled.
“Govinda is not only a subject of competition but also a festival that preserves Maharashtra’s culture and tradition,” Shinde said. He described the festival as an expression of unity and said it should be conducted as an adventure sport without allowing it to become fatal.
The deputy chief minister also referred to decisions granting Govinda the status of an adventure sport, declaring a public holiday for the festival and providing insurance for Govinda participants. He said the Pro-Govinda competition had given the activity a new identity.
The Tembhi Naka Dahi Handi is regarded as a prominent event in Thane because of the tradition established there by the late Anand Dighe, who served as the Shiv Sena’s Thane district chief. Shinde has continued the festival tradition after Dighe’s death. Govinda teams traditionally offer a salami, or ceremonial appearance, at Tembhi Naka before travelling to other locations to break Dahi Handis.
Shinde attended the event and interacted with Govinda teams. Lok Sabha member Naresh Mhaske, party office-bearers and representatives of the Tembhi Naka Mitra Mandal were also present, according to the report.
Shinde said Dighe had established a tradition of celebrating Ganeshotsav, Navratri and Govinda festivals with public participation, and that the practice had subsequently spread across Maharashtra. He asked Govinda teams to observe the festival while giving the highest priority to safety.
