A weekend Dahi Handi festivity in Pimpri-Chinchwad turned into a tragic accident on Friday night when a 45-year-old woman was killed when a heavy iron part of a stage structure collapsed and struck her on the head, said an eyewitness. The incident took place in Old Sangvi where a local Dahi Handi programme was organised by the Vighnaharta Dahi Handi Mitra Mandal.
The deceased has been identified as Salma Salauddin Pathan. She had been with her husband Salauddin to watch their son participate in the traditional Dahi Handi event as a Govinda group, she said.
According to the information available, the family had arrived at the venue in Galli No. 2 in Old Sangvi to witness the celebrations. Their son was actively participating in the human pyramid, one of the main attractions of the Dahi Handi festival.
The Dahi Handi was broken at about 10.05 pm. Salma was happy after seeing her son's participation in the event, relatives said. What was supposed to be a memorable festive evening, however, ended in tragedy soon after.
Salauddin called his wife after the programme and asked her to leave for home. The couple began walking away from the venue sometime between 10.30 pm and 10.45 pm.
At around the same time, organisers and workers had seemingly begun dismantling the huge stage arch and lighting structure that had been set up for the Dahi Handi programme.
It was during the dismantling process that a heavy iron angle or portion of the structure suddenly fell. Salma was hit on the head with the iron piece, sustaining severe injuries.
The accident triggered panic at the venue as people waiting nearby rushed to help. The festive atmosphere turned into a state of shock and grief when family members and others in the crowd came to know the gravity of it.
The exact situation after the accident is not clear. According to various accounts, Salma was immediately taken to Aundh Hospital for medical treatment, where doctors declared her dead. Other reports suggested that she died after receiving the severe head injury on the spot.
The exact sequence of the accident is expected to be investigated by the authorities.
Family Had Come to Watch Son's Performance
The tragedy has added a very emotional dimension to the incident, as Salma had come to the event to see her son perform as a Govinda.
Dahi Handi celebrations are known for having a lot of festive energy and young people build human pyramids to reach and break an earthen pot suspended at a height. People from the surrounding area come in large numbers to watch the performances.
Salma and her husband had begun the evening to support and encourage their son. Relatives noted that she seemed satisfied and happy after seeing him in the human pyramid and the successful breaking of the handi.
The accident occurred only after the main programme had ended; the family was preparing to return home.
Questions Over Safety During Dismantling
In the past, there have also been questions about the safety of large temporary structures being dismantled during public events.
Dahi Handi celebrations typically involve elaborate stages, lighting rigs, sound systems and decorative arches. While significant attention is generally given to the safety of Govindas participating in human pyramids, the safety of spectators and workers around temporary structures is also important.
A review of safety precautions might be needed by authorities to determine whether the stage and lighting equipment were properly taken into account when they were dismantled.
Hence temporary structures made from heavy iron can be handled carefully when large crowds are present, or when people are still leaving the venue.
The investigation may focus on how the iron section fell, and whether there were sufficient precautions to make sure that the surrounding area was clear before the dismantling work started.
An investigation is expected into the fatal accident.
Police and other concerned authorities will investigate the circumstances of Salma Pathan's death. Statements from organisers, workers, eyewitnesses and family members may be reviewed to establish the full sequence of events.
Officials can also look at the stage structure and other equipment used in the celebration.
The family is devastated because Salma died just after she watched her son take part in the event.
What began as a celebration of tradition and community ended in an unexpected tragedy, leaving relatives and residents of the area in shock.
The Dahi Handi festival is celebrated with great joy in Maharashtra and many other states of India, and large numbers of people come to the festival in the event of local groups or community organisations. The Pimpri-Chinchwad incident is a reminder that safety measures should go beyond the main performance and continue until all temporary structures and equipment are taken away safely.
Authorities are expected to determine whether the incident was purely accidental or whether negligence played a role. Further details are likely to emerge as the investigation progresses.
