Mumbai: A 19-year-old youth was injured after a fight broke out at a Navratri Dandiya event at the NESCO Compound in Goregaon East on Wednesday night. The victim, identified as Jenil Barbaya, a student residing in Malad West, was allegedly beaten up by a group of participants at the event. He was rushed to Tunga Hospital in Malad West and admitted to the ICU after losing consciousness. Doctors later said he is now conscious and out of danger.
Incident Details
The victimโs father, Rupesh Barbaya, told the media that the altercation began during the Dandiya dance when one of the miscreants hit Jenil. When Jenil questioned them, the group allegedly attacked him brutally, resulting in multiple head injuries.
A police officer from Vanrai police station stated, โWe have registered a non-cognisable offence. While Jenil was playing Garba, his hand accidentally hit another participant. Over this matter, a group beat him. However, Jenil is stable, and the matter appears to be a minor fight. I have also spoken with his father about the incident and about investigating the matter.โ
He denied detaining anyone in the matter, although some reports claimed that three suspects had been arrested and later managed to escape from a police van shortly after being taken into custody. The police said they are still searching for the suspects.
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
A video showing Jenil injured has gone viral on social media. In the clip, he appears bleeding from his nose, with panic spreading across the venue. The visuals show chaos as participants tried to intervene while others gathered around in shock. The footage has sparked debate over crowd management and safety arrangements at Navratri venues across Mumbai.
Doctors confirmed that he had regained consciousness and was out of danger, though he had suffered multiple head injuries.
Territorial Culture at Dandiya Events
Jenil, bleeding from his nose, lay injured as panic swept through the venue, with some participants rushing to help while others stood frozen in shock.
This incident has reignited a broader debate over safety, crowd control and the so-called 'territorial' culture at Mumbaiโs Dandiya events.
Among the recurring issues are groups who claim large sections of the dance floor using a bizarre method, tying their dupattas together to create barriers and marking territory for their group. The so-called โdupatta gangโ arrives early, secures huge swathes of space and stares down anyone attempting to join. For smaller groups or individual participants, finding a spot to dance becomes intimidating and unwelcoming.
Need for Better Management
With popular singers like Parthiv Gohil performing, organisers appear more focused on cashing in on demand rather than ensuring security, adequate space, or an inclusive environment. Families who pay the same entry fees are left feeling cheated, while fights erupt and groups dominate dance areas like private territories, many revellers observed.
Navratri is meant to be a festival of inclusivity, joy, and cultural celebration. Yet, incidents like Jenil Barbayaโs assault highlight a pressing need for accountability.
"Organisers must rethink ticketing, implement stricter crowd management, and eliminate practices like the dupatta barricades. It is high time that the festive spirit is protected from greed, mismanagement, and territorial bullying, so that everyone, regardless of group size or arrival time, can dance safely and freely," sources said.
To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/
