State cites ongoing SSC and HSC exams, large gatherings have been disallowed; many societies had made plans for grand celebrations
People buy colours for Holi, in Worli on Wednesday. Pic/Ashish Raje
Forced by the pandemic to confine themselves to their homes for two years, scores of Mumbaikars were excited to celebrate Holi in a grand way with DJ parties in their societies, but the government has poured cold water on their plans at the last minute.
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The Maharashtra government on Wednesday banned the use of DJ music citing the ongoing SSC and HSC exams. It asked citizens to use loudspeakers at low volume and disallowed large gatherings. As per the government’s new guidelines for Holi, people have to do Holika Dahan before 10 pm in societies or on roads. Water balloons and polythene bags to throw water or colour are banned. Nobody is allowed to play Holi under the influence of alcohol, particularly with women.
The government recently lifted the Covid-induced lockdown and began relaxing curbs by allowing reopening of schools and colleges, extending timings for restaurants and letting swimming pools operate with full capacity. Buoyed by the relief, many societies had chalked out DJ music, rain dance and other entertainment programmes apart from breakfast, lunch and dinner to celebrate Holi in full swing. Many citizens said they had invited family members and friends on Holi.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey and Joint Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil did not respond to calls and messages from mid-day. Their staff said the officers were in meetings.
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