Mumbai: One ‘govinda’ dies, 36 injured during Dahi Handi celebrations

The festival of Dahi Handi was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in Maharashtra on Monday. Enthusiastic participation by youngsters was seen all across, like every year, on the occasion of the birth of Lord Krishna. However, one govinda lost his life during Janmashtami dahi handi celebration in Sion of Thane district, while 36 govindas were injured while breaking the pots.

36 ‘govindas’ have been injured till 2pm in Mumbai during Dahi-Handi celebrations. #Janmashtami

— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2018

As per the police report, the person died was at the first level of the pyramid when he suddenly collapsed and died due to an epileptic fit. Though the Mumbai Police in their tweet has earlier shared that people need to be careful while breaking the pots, incidents like these have become a regular phenomenon each year.

Sharing the message, Mumbai Police had appealed to the govindas to wear a helmet. It said, “Break Dahi Handi. Not Your Head. Let your being on top of the world feeling not get shattered by unnecessary carelessness! #AwareGovindaAalaRe #WearSafetyGear.”

Let your being ‘on top of the world’ feeling not get shattered by unnecessary carelessness! #AwareGovindaAalaRe #WearSafetyGear pic.twitter.com/EsTkpmJSSc

— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) September 3, 2018

With reports pouring in, 36 others have been injured while breaking the Handi, govindas all across did not pay any heed to it. Citing the danger involved in breaking the pots, the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court restricted the participation of children below 14 years in Dahi Handi celebration. Also, Mumbai Police had advised Govindas to wear safety gears to avoid any injuries while falling during an attempt to break pots. According to a report, two persons lost their lives in 2017 while 197 got injured at different places in the event-related incidents.

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