KHALI’S VISIT ENDED TRADE FAIR IN CHAOS
Major security lapses surfaced for the general public when celebrity wrestler The Great Khali visited the trade fair
Whose responsibility is it, anyway? The question was asked by many after The Great Khali visited the India International Trade Fair (IITF), on its concluding day. Invited for a promotional activity at the fair, the professional wrestler visited Hall 18 where international participants had their displays. And, to see him live, a huge crowd turned up, gathered around the wrestler, followed him to the stall, and never left him alone for the approximate 30 minute hour duration that he was present for. “I am a huge fan of Khali. I had to jump over the tables to get a selfie with him, but anything for Khali,” says Mohit Khurana, a college goer.
Many like Khurana did everything possible to get clicked with the wrestler, which lead to a few getting hurt. Kanishka Khanna (name changed), a visitor, says, “It was maddening. Kabhi right se dhakka lag raha tha, kabhi left se (I was being pushed from all the sides). I even shouted at some people for crushing me. It was so annoying to see the police officers busy clicking pictures with Khali. Who will ensure our safety then?”
Another visitor, Mahima Aggarwal, an IT professional, angrily questioned whose responsibility is it to ensure everyone’s safety. “Is it the police, the trade fair authority or the organiser of the event who is inviting the star? I was pushed down thrice. This has been my worst experience at IITF, ever,” she says.
“If anyone is inviting any celeb, they have to give prior information. In case of any problem, visitors can directly reach to Police or CISF,” says Sanjay Vashistha, deputy manager (PR), ITPO.
Kumar Gyanesh, DCP, DSF, Delhi Police, says, “The new recruited batch of police personnel often get excited on seeing celebs. The officers on duty shouldn’t have clicked pics with Khali. Also, the organisers informed us just the night before; had they told us earlier, we would have managed the situation better.”