Mumbai : A tragic incident has cast a shadow over the upcoming Dahi Handi festival, set to be celebrated with great enthusiasm on August 16. An 11-year-old boy, identified as Mahesh Ramesh Jadhav, lost his life during practice at Ketkipada in Dahisar on Sunday night.
According to reports, Mahesh, a member of the Navtarun Mitra Mandal team, was rehearsing with his group when the incident occurred. The team had formed a six-tier human pyramid, and Mahesh was positioned on the top tier. While climbing, he reportedly lost his balance and fell from the sixth level. Before his teammates could catch him, he hit the ground. He was rushed to Pragati Hospital in Dahisar, but doctors declared him dead during treatment.
Police have registered an ADR (Accidental Death Report) and initiated an investigation. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of underage participants in Dahi Handi celebrations. Authorities note that many smaller teams practice without basic safety measures such as helmets, safety belts, or crash mats, leading to an increase in such accidents. Calls for stricter regulations and safety protocols are growing in the wake of this tragedy.
