MNS CELEBRATES DAHI HANDI DESPITE BAN, 2 ARRESTED

MUMBAI: Kherwadi police on Tuesday arrested two Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for Dahi Handi celebrations. Besides, a total of nine first information reports (FIR) have been registered across various police station against MNS workers for flouting the Covid norms.

As per the state government rules announced on Monday, all public gatherings such as community rituals, human pyramids and cultural events for the festival were banned.

“We traced and arrested the two accused identified as Akhil Chitre and Omkar Redkar under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code,” said Sanjay Nikumbe, senior inspector of Kherwadi police station.

Assailing the state government, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, “Everything is going on normally and there are crowds everywhere...a perception is being created that Covid-19 spreads only during the festivals. Fear is being created among the people. Hence, I told my party workers to celebrate Dahi Handi with gusto.” He said it is ironic that ‘Jan Ashirwarad Yatra’ and other gatherings are being held while festivities are being curbed. “Let there be a similar law for everyone,” he added.

In Thane, the MNS broke the Dahi Handi at midnight with women volunteers forming a pyramid. Two cases are registered in Naupada police station, and in one of them Thane chief of MNS was arrested and was later released on bail. Another case was registered at Vartak Nagar police station for organising celebrations without permission.

In Dadar, MNS workers celebrated the festival at Khandke building at 7am. At Kalachowki, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar was not allowed to enter the Bhagat Singh ground, so he broke the handi outside. Mumbai Police detained him later. Police have also booked four MNS workers at Worli under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for violating the order prohibiting public celebration of the festival.

MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande, who organised the Dadar event, said: “It was the 50th year celebration at Khandke building and we celebrated it despite the ban by the government. We did not bow before anti-hindu government.”