Pune: The city is all set to witness vibrant and enthusiastic Dahi Handi celebrations with a blend of traditional fervour and contemporary excitement. However, many women tend to refrain from participating in the celebrations because of safety concerns . While some mandals are organising exclusive Dahi Handi events for women to ensure their safety, others are focusing on deploying members on the ground to keep a check on misbehaviour, eve-teasing, or nuisance, especially with regard to women.
Kishor Shinde, MNS leader, said, “We have been organising a women’s special Dahi Handi celebration on the Jeet grounds in Kothrud for the last 12 years. Around 25,000-30,000 women attend the event. We have invited an all-women Govinda Pathak to break the pot.
” Shinde, stressing the safety of women, said, When women go to see Dahi Handi events on the streets, they are often harassed by men who get drunk and create a nuisance. Our event provides women with a safe space. We have a DJ performance and have put up LED screens so that women can dance freely.
” Prakash Chauhan from Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust said they, too, are focused on women’s safety and will have volunteers that women can reach out to in case of any grievance. “There is a lot of revelry, but we ensure that there is no nuisance. People cheer the Govindas on and are mindful not to invade the personal space of women while doing so,” he said.
Making the celebrations inclusive, Taal Vidya Pa.