Dahi Handi celebrations: Badlapur sees a quiet Janmashtami

No public Dahi Handi celebrations were seen in Badlapur on Tuesday as politicians across parties decided to forgo festivities this year in light of the recent sexual assault incident, which locals are still seething over.

Congress leader Sanjay Jadhav, who usually organises a major Dahi Handi event in Badlapur West, said, "A terrible incident has occurred and the people are angry. I have decided not to celebrate this time. This is not politics, but [respecting] sentiments."

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Jaideep Kamghare, resident, Katrap village

BJP leader Rajendra Ghorpade, a former corporator, who holds Dahi Handi celebrations annually at Zenda Chowk in Badlapur West also opted not to do so this time. "After the shocking incident, celebrating the festival this year didn't feel right, so I decided not to."

Former corporator Sanjay Bhoir, affiliated with the BJP, said Badlapurkars were still in shock. "We celebrate festivals passionately, but not this year. We are spending time with our families. As a member of society, I decided not to celebrate the festival."

Though Katrap village's adult residents refrained from taking part Dahi Handi, they held small celebrations for kids to keep the tradition alive. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

According to reports, four to five major Dahi Handi events are organised, mainly by political figures, in the town every year. "This is a Badlapur tradition," said Mayank Shrivastav, a resident of Katrap village, adding, "But the youth who participate in festivals with gusto are not celebrating this year."

A handi seller who did not wish to be named said, "Every year, I sell around 1,000 handis around this time. But this year, I only managed to sell 40 to 50. I've not been able to break even financially. Most handi buyers were not native to Badlapur. One of them, Pranit Jagdale, told mid-day, "I'm an Ambernath resident. We came here as we could not get a handi in our town."

Congress leader Sanjay Jadhav, who usually organises a major Dahi Handi event in Badlapur West; Mayank Shrivastav, a Katrap local

Hitesh Patil, another Katrap resident, said, "Though adults aren't celebrating this year, we have organised events for children to keep the tradition alive."
Jaideep Kamghare, another local, said, "Only kids are celebrating this year. We can't stop them nor can we tell them why the adults aren't taking part."
Akshay Mistri, a school-going child, said, "Our elders only helped us set up the handi. They did not join the fun."

Dhanraj Golait, a resident of Badlapur East, termed the politicians' and citizens' restraint an act of solidarity. Massive protests, including a nearly 10-hour rail roko, were witnessed in the town on August 20, seven days after two 4-year-old girls were allegedly sexually assaulted in school by a sweeper. Alleging inaction by the police, the protesters sought capital punishment for the accused.