Thane’s Dahi Handi celebrations created widespread traffic disruption on Saturday as roads were closed for public events, vehicles carrying Govinda teams were parked along streets and large groups moved through key routes, according to a report by Loksatta – Thane. The report also said that children below 14 appeared to have participated in some human-pyramid formations despite court-mandated safety conditions.
A total of 254 public Dahi Handi events were organised within the Thane Police Commissionerate area this year, the report said. Organised by festival committees, social organisations and political parties, the events attracted Govinda teams from Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar, with cash prizes running into lakhs of rupees.
Traffic restrictions were imposed around several event locations, including Tembhi Naka, Raheja, Ghodbunder, Kasarvadavli, Pokhran and Castle Mill Naka. Vehicles on affected roads were diverted to alternative routes, increasing traffic loads on those corridors. The report said that vehicles belonging to Govinda teams parked along the roadside added to the congestion.
The disruption began as Govinda teams travelled through major roads and junctions from the morning. Teams competed to build tall human pyramids to break suspended earthen pots, with several groups from Thane and Mumbai forming nine-tier pyramids. Some organisers also announced cash prizes for teams participating in ceremonial appearances, in addition to prizes for teams that broke the Dahi Handi.
Safety concerns were also reported at some venues. The report said that, although organisers had been instructed to give priority to participant safety, children below 14 were seen taking part in some human pyramids. The minimum age of the participant on the top tier is 14 under a court condition cited in the report. The report did not identify the specific committees or venues where the alleged violations occurred.
Weather conditions added to the physical demands on participants. Rain stayed away through much of the morning, increasing heat and discomfort for the teams. Rain arrived after 4 p.m., bringing cooler conditions and renewed activity at the celebrations. Loksatta also reported that 10 Govindas were injured and admitted to government hospitals, although the supplied report did not provide details on the nature or severity of those injuries.
The celebrations included appearances by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, actors Govinda, Sanjay Dutt, Kranti Redkar and Mansi Kulkarni, and cricketer Suryakumar Yadav. Yadav described Pro Govinda as an indigenous sport and spoke about taking it to the Olympics, according to the report. Organisers were also reported to have kept sound levels lower at several locations this year.
Authorities’ next steps regarding the reported safety violations, the 10 injuries and traffic management arrangements were not specified in the supplied report.
