Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Dahi Handi event in Tembhi Naka, Thane City – Photo By GPN
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Dahi Handi event in Tembhi Naka, Thane City – Photo By GPN
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Dahi Handi event in Tembhi Naka, Thane City – Photo By GPN
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Dahi Handi event in Tembhi Naka, Thane City – Photo By GPN
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Dahi Handi event in Tembhi Naka, Thane City – Photo By GPN
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Dahi Handi event in Tembhi Naka, Thane City – Photo By GPN
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Dahi Handi event in Tembhi Naka, Thane City – Photo By GPN
MUMBAI/ THANE, 28 AUGUST, 2024 (GPN): The traditional dahi handi celebrations in Mumbai and Thane were used by the ruling parties to maximise its outreach and convey a strong political message ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in November 2024.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who attended a Dahi Handi event at Tembhi Naka in neighbouring Thane city, said his mentor Anand Dighe had revitalised the festival, which has bolstered traditions and community spirit.
He noted that his administration had lifted restrictions imposed during the MVA’s rule by allowing free and safe celebrations.
Shinde assured that the government was taking comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and success of Dahi Handi events.
Dahi Handis were sponsored by prominent politicians such as BJP MLA Ram Kadam (Ghatkopar), Shiv Sena MLAs Prakash Surve (Magathane), and BJP leader Santosh Pande (Parel) in Mumbai, while in Thane, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Tembhi Naka), Shiv Sena leaders Pratap Sarnaik (Vartak Nagar), Ravindra Phatak (Raghunath Nagar), and MNS leader Avinash Jadhav (Naupada) hosted events.
During a BJP leader’s event at Jambori Maidan in Worli, a team of Govindas showcased a scene of ‘assassination of Afzal Khan by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ by forming a four-tier pyramid.
Some politicians also tried to break Dahi Handis in Mumbai. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya attempted to break a Dahi Handi by climbing a four- tier pyramid at Ghatkopar in the eastern suburbs.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde participating in the festivities in home turf Thane district announced, “We will break the Vidhan Sabha Dahi handi.”
Fadnavis said, “The govindas (youths participating in pyramid formation) enacted a play where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used tiger claws to kill Mughal general Afzal Khan… If anybody dares to attack swaraj, they would meet the same fate.”
In a latest update, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday said that as many as 245 people were injured during the Dahi Handi celebrations on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami festival.
Earlier, the number of injured people during the celebration was given as 238 but in a significant increase, the number increased to 245.
Many ‘Govindas’ who are part of the many human pyramids formed during the celebrations of playing the dahi Handi are under treatment at various private hospitals, while several got discharged after treatment.
The injured have been admitted to hospitals including the JJ Hospital, St. George Hospital, GT Hospital, Poddar Hospital, KEM Hospital, Nair Hospital, Sion Hospital, Rajawadi Hospital, Veer Savarkar Hospital, MT Agarwal Hospital, Kurla Bhabha Hospital, Shatabdi Govandi Hospital, Bandra Bhabha Hospital, Trauma Care Hospital, VN Desai Hospital, MW Desai Hospital, Cooper Hospital, BDBA Hospital and Leelavati Hospital.
According to the latest reports, around 207 people have been discharged from various hospitals.
Last year, during Dahi Handi celebrations, as many as 195 ‘Govindas’ were injured in different incidents. The BMC reported that out of the 195 ‘Govindas’, 18 were admitted to hospital while the remaining 177 were discharged.
One of the major cultural activities, Dahi Handi is celebrated by filling an earthen pot with curd, butter, and other milk products. Subsequently, a group forms a human pyramid to reach the matka and break it.
Speaking to News Hub BMC officials said Several prominent ‘Govinda Pathaks’ (groups) tried to form nine and 10-tier human pyramids at several locations in the city.
In the wake of cases of sexual assault reported in parts of Maharashtra and elsewhere, several Govinda groups also displayed social messages on banners and posters while breaking Dahi Handis in Mumbai, neighbouring Thane and other places.
Several all-women Govinda groups were also seen trying to break Dahi Handis.
The festivities caused traffic snarls in many areas of the city as Dahi Handis were hung at major intersections and junctions, and haphazardly parked two- wheelers and other vehicles belonging to Govinda groups added to the woes.
The BEST diverted or short-terminated as many as 55 bus routes across the city.
Dahi Handis sponsored by politicians in Mumbai and neighbouring areas, were crowd-pullers due to the presence of celebrities and entertainment programmes. Besides this, rewards running into lakhs of rupees were announced for these events to attract Govinda Pathaks.
Sachin Murdeshwar is a Sr.Journalist and Columnist in several Mainline Newspapers and Portals.He is an ardent traveller and likes to explore destinations to the core.
Be the first to commenton "BMC officials declares 245 people of Govinda Pathak were injured during Dahi Handi with no major casualties"
Be the first to comment on "BMC officials declares 245 people of Govinda Pathak were injured during Dahi Handi with no major casualties"