Holi celebrations: Police ban obscene songs, slogans

According to the circular, apart from songs and slogans, the police have also banned gestures, exhibition of pictures, symbols, placards or any other objects or things which may offend dignity, decency or morality

The city police have banned the use of obscene songs, slogans and words to avoid any communal tension and breach of peace during Holi celebration.

Students of Bandodkar College spread the message of playing dry holi with eco-friendly colours. (Praful Gangurde)

In a circular issued by Sanjay Barkund, deputy commissioner of police (operations) on Monday, a copy of which is with HT, the police have issued a list of things which would be prohibited in the city from March 22 to 28. The prohibitory orders have been issued under the relevant sections of the Maharashtra police act.

According to the circular, apart from songs and slogans, the police have also banned gestures, exhibition of pictures, symbols, placards or any other objects or things which may offend dignity, decency or morality. The police have also banned throwing of colours, balloons, coloured water on pedestrians, which is the biggest menace during holi.

The city police will also conduct patrolling and intensify its campaign against drink driving. Police presence will be beefed up around beaches and spots, where the footfall is high during Holi. Ninety-three police stations in the city have been put on alert to prevent any mischief and untoward incident in their respective jurisdictions.

The GRP, too, will ensure commuters don’t get injured owing to the balloons being hurled at trains. Around 12 GRP teams will stand guard with phone cameras around seven sensitive locations – most of them along slum pockets - where such incidents have been reported in the past. The railway police personnel have been conducting awareness campaigns in slum areas along the railway tracks, warning people of strict action if caught throwing balloons.