Pune Activist Seeks Urgent Police Action To Prevent Misconduct During Ganpati Immersion Procession 

Pune: City-based social activist and Creative Foundation President Sandeep Khardekar has written a letter to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar raising serious concerns over rising disputes and misconduct during the upcoming Ganesh Visarjan procession. With just around 20 days left for the festival, Khardekar has urged the police to act swiftly to ensure law and order is maintained during the immersion festivities.

Khardekar, who has been associated with the Ganesh festival since 1983, warned that disagreements have already begun over the post-honorary sequence of Ganesh mandals in the immersion procession. “After Bhau Rangari Mandal and Akhil Mandai Mandal announced their participation immediately after the honorary mandals, other mandals started demanding permission to begin the procession as early as 7 AM. Several have objected to these announcements,” he wrote.

In light of the growing tension, he demanded that a meeting be convened urgently involving top Ganesh mandals, public representatives, and prominent citizens to establish a mutually agreed-upon policy and avoid disturbances during the festival.

Referring to last year’s campaign—led by himself, Ankush Kakade, and Srikant Shirole—to curb the use of DJ systems, Khardekar appreciated businessman Puneet Balan’s recent stand against DJs, calling it a welcome step. He stated, “This will certainly make a positive difference this year.”

Khardekar also listed specific concerns for police attention:

1. DJ sound levels and laser beams:

   “The police must communicate with mandals in advance to regulate DJ noise levels and eye-damaging laser beams. Action during the actual procession becomes impossible due to mob psychology and massive crowds, rendering post-event legal action ineffective.”

2. Unidentified youth joining mandals:

   “Groups of outsiders—students or visitors—often dance in front of mandals, causing delays. A mechanism is needed to stop this.”

3. Obscene gestures during dancing:

   “Obscene acts by boys and men break the sanctity of the festival. Sadly, this trend has spread to women and girls in recent years, and must be monitored.”

4. Inexperienced police officers:

   “Most current police officers in Pune are new and unfamiliar with local sentiments. Retired officers should be roped in to assist during this crucial event.”

5. Dhol-tasha pathak disorder:

   “Performers, in excitement, jump high while playing and injure citizens. They also push through crowded roads carrying drums after finishing one mandal’s procession to reach another. Guidelines should be issued to limit the number of performers per team.”

6. Unruly ‘police mitra’ and volunteers:

   “So-called volunteers often act like self-styled enforcers and harass even women, children, and respected citizens. Strict monitoring of their conduct is needed.”

He concluded by assuring the commissioner that he would continue sharing constructive suggestions and requested that the above issues be taken seriously and necessary actions initiated.