Police action against dance and Lavani programmes during Dahi Handi celebrations has put the spotlight on the organisers’ responsibility to obtain mandatory permissions and submit required certifications before staging cultural performances.
the police in Kesnand have now separately refused permission for a proposed Lavani performance by dancer Aishwarya Jadhav Laturkar While the Bibwewadi police have registered a case against dancer Radha Patil-Mumbaikar and two organisers for allegedly holding a programme despite permission being denied. However, the organisers and performer allegedly failed to submit the required documents, including certification from the Maharashtra State Stage Performances Scrutiny Board. The police subsequently denied permission for the programme. Despite this, the performance allegedly went ahead. Police personnel visiting Dahi Handi venues later found out that the programme had been conducted, and registered a case. “We had already applied for certification from the board and have the receipt with us. We were informed that we could begin the performance on the basis of the receipt.
Sonawane and his group had planned Patil-Mumbaikar’s performance as part of their Dahi Handi celebrations and had approached the police for permission, according to the police. Bibwewadi senior police inspector Ashwini Satpute said that the board’s certification is intended to ensure that performances do not contain vulgar or objectionable content. However, after three girls, including me, had performed, the police intervened and stopped the programme,” Patil-Mumbaikar said.
The Bibwewadi police on Monday registered a case against Patil-Mumbaikar; Bhushan Abhiman Sonawane, chairman of Empire Group A K Boys; and organiser Amol Kate for allegedly organising a dance programme without prior police permission. The event was held on Sunday at Bhairavnath Society, Ambamata road, Sukhsagar Nagar, Katraj.
Accordingly, we have booked them under section 223 of the BNS and further investigation is underway,” she said. “Without the board’s certification or approval, no one can organise cultural dance events.
