Mumbai. At least 63 Govindas were injured while forming human pyramids as part of the Dahi Handi festival in Mumbai on Tuesday, officials said. A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said that these injured Govindas have been admitted to BMC-run and private hospitals.
People are enthusiastically participating in the Dahi Handi festival as part of Janmashtami. This festival is being celebrated with traditional zeal and enthusiasm in Mumbai and other parts of the state. As part of the festival, Dahi Handi participants form multi-level human pyramids and break the Dahi Handi hanging in the air. A BMC official said that at least 63 Govindas were injured while attempting to form human pyramids.
Of these injured Govindas, eight have been admitted to various hospitals and 32 are being treated in the Out Patient Department (OPD), while 23 others were discharged after treatment. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who attended the Dahi Handi event at Tembhi Naka in Thane city, said that his guru Anand Dighe revived the festival, which has strengthened traditions and community spirit.
Shinde said his administration has lifted the restrictions imposed during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime by allowing free and safe celebrations. Shinde assured that the government is taking comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and success of Dahi Handi events. Shinde assured that the government is taking comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and success of Dahi Handi events. Several prominent Govinda groups tried to form nine and 10-level human pyramids at several places in the city.
In view of the sexual harassment cases in many parts of Maharashtra and elsewhere, many Govinda groups also displayed social messages through banners and posters while breaking dahi handi in Mumbai, Thane and other places. Many women Govinda groups were also seen trying to break dahi handi by forming human pyramids.
The celebrations also led to traffic jams in many parts of the city as dahi handis were hung at major intersections. Dahi Handis sponsored by politicians in Mumbai and nearby areas drew huge crowds due to the presence of celebrities and entertainment programmes.