The Navratri mood in Dahegam, the district of Gandhinagar, was disturbed when a Garba party got out of hand late in the evening. What started as a happy night of dancing and music soon escalated into anarchy as a fight erupted between the parties and resulted in stone-pelting, arson and widespread vandalism.
The eyewitnesses claim that the Garba program was going on normally when a tense argument led to stone-pelting. It was panic time in the crowd as individuals ran to seek shelter, with women, children, and old people getting caught in the stampede. Some stores around the area were burnt down in the fray, and parked cars were vandalized, leaving the area in a state of devastation rather than jubilation.
The locals also protested against the event by saying that Navratri is a holy festival in Gujarat, which is very much connected to culture and piety. It is painful to learn about this kind of violence in Garba, which is meant to bring people together in faith and celebrations. Most of the victims required stringent measures against those who had injured them and reimbursement for their lost money.
The police were also quick in their response, sending more forces to the sensitive parts of Dahegam to contain the situation and avoid any further deterioration. Fire brigades also came on the scene to extinguish the fires in the stores being burnt. The police have already arrested a number of suspects, who are being questioned, and more are yet to be arrested as the investigation continues. Chief executives are also examining the tape records of the CCTV that was captured in the vicinity to find those who were directly involved in the violence.
The incident has been an issue concerning security arrangements in mass events during the Navratri. As date rapes have persisted to date through the festival, the administration has been advised to tighten its security at all the venues. The top officials have promised citizens that they will restore peace and order and that they will not leave out miscreants.
It is the violence that has given a dark shade to otherwise a very happy and culturally rich festival of Gujarat. The fights not only lead to the destruction of property, but also jeopardise the overall coexistence in the town. The night will be remembered not by those who attended it as a time of devotion and dancing but by the terror and the destruction that stained the celebrations for many residents.
With investigations still going on, Dahegam now turns to the authorities to administer justice and help safeguard the sanctity of the festival till the end of the festival.
