Bombay HC Orders BMC Chief To Resolve Dahi Handi Venue Dispute

The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner to decide a dispute between two political groups seeking permission to organise Dahi Handi celebrations at Ashok Kedare Chowk, Bhandup West, on September 5.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Shiv Sena leader Sandip Jalgaonkar, who claimed that he had been organising the annual Dahi Handi Utsav at the spot for several years. A rival applicant has also sought permission to hold the celebration at the same location.

The bench observed that there was no bar on granting multiple permissions for Dahi Handi celebrations, but said that only one group could be allowed to hold the celebration at a particular spot. The court also criticised the BMC for referring the competing applications to the Bhandup police for comments.

The police had suggested that preference could be given to the applicant who had organised the event at the location earlier. However, the court said that this principle could not be made applicable and that the police should have left the decision to the civic body.

The court directed the commissioner to hold a meeting at her office on Friday to resolve the dispute. Each side can send only two representatives and there should be no gathering of supporters at the office. The commissioner will give each side 15 minutes to present its case and then take an appropriate decision.

The court said that the commissioner's decision would be final and disposed of the petition. It also directed the commissioner to seek an explanation from civic officials on why the applications were not decided and why the matter was referred to the police.

Last year, the HC had refused permission to both Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the MNS to hold Dahi Handi celebrations at the same chowk after police cited possible law-and-order concerns.

The BMC commissioner's decision is expected to bring an end to the dispute and allow the Dahi Handi celebrations to take place peacefully. The court's order highlights the importance of the civic body taking responsibility for deciding such matters and not relying on the police for comments.

The Dahi Handi celebrations are an important part of the Janmashtami festivities in Mumbai and are organised by various groups across the city. The celebrations involve the formation of human pyramids to break the dahi handi, a clay pot filled with curd and butter.

The dispute over the venue for the Dahi Handi celebrations in Bhandup West had been ongoing for some time and had caused tension between the two groups. The court's order is expected to bring relief to the residents of the area and allow them to enjoy the festivities without any disruptions.

In conclusion, the Bombay High Court's order directing the BMC commissioner to resolve the dispute over the Dahi Handi venue in Bhandup West is a significant development. The court's decision highlights the importance of the civic body taking responsibility for deciding such matters and not relying on the police for comments. The order is expected to bring an end to the dispute and allow the Dahi Handi celebrations to take place peacefully.

The BMC commissioner's decision will be closely watched by the residents of Bhandup West and the two groups involved in the dispute. The court's order is a reminder that the civic body has a responsibility to ensure that such events are organised in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The Dahi Handi celebrations are an important part of Mumbai's cultural heritage and are enjoyed by people from all walks of life. The court's order is expected to ensure that the celebrations take place without any disruptions and that the residents of Bhandup West can enjoy the festivities in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The Bombay High Court's order is a significant development in the dispute over the Dahi Handi venue in Bhandup West. The court's decision highlights the importance of the civic body taking responsibility for deciding such matters and not relying on the police for comments. The order is expected to bring an end to the dispute and allow the Dahi Handi celebrations to take place peacefully.