Nagpur: The long-standing controversy over the dandiya and garba programme at Ramdaspeth has finally been resolved. After a legal battle that reached the Supreme Court last year, the event organisers — Ramdaspeth Plot Owners and Residents’ Association — have moved the venue to Maharajbagh Club and Lawns, near Bole Petrol Pump this year. Before this was revealed, this year too the residents had filed a petition in the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court.
However, organisers took a proactive step and shifted the venue. The annual programme, which used to be held at the Sheshrao Wankhede Mor Hindi School Ground, faced opposition from local residents, who complained about noise pollution.
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“The Ras Garba ‘Crazy Dandiya 2024’ event will now take place at Maharajbagh Club from October 3 to October 11. Various garba groups from across the city are expected to participate in the festivities,” said one of the coordinators in the organising committee.
The shift is a significant development in the dispute between organisers and residents. While the relocation ensures the event can proceed without further disruptions, residents said their legal case continues. “It’s a positive step that the organisers have moved the venue away from the residential area,” said Pawan Sarda, one of the petitioners. “But our long-term goal remains to have this area declared a silent zone,” he added.
He emphasised that the relocation of the Dandiya and Garba programme is only a temporary solution. He believes that declaring the area a silent zone would permanently prevent such events from causing noise pollution in the neighbourhood. “Ramdaspeth is primarily a residential area. Moreover, the numerous hospitals here further underscore the need for a peaceful environment,” he said.
According to the petitioner, the court has directed Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and other relevant authorities to investigate the feasibility of designating Ramdaspeth as a silent zone. “If the authorities determine that the area meets the necessary criteria, it could be officially declared a silent zone in the future. We will continue our fight for this,” he said. This year, apart from Sarda, Dr Shubhangi Deshmane, Sanjyogita Dhanwatey, Rahul Dalmiya, Anurag Saraf, Varun Bajaj, and Nimish Sutaria had joined in filing the petition.
The residents of Ramdaspeth argue that the Garba show disturbs their peace especially when it is time to go to bed. These residents knocked on the doors of the High Court. Considering all these aspects, the Association shifted the venue.
Chief Singer Saveri Varma and Band, Mumbai will present traditional Garba songs. Other groups of the city too will perform Garba dance at the venue. Harjeetsingh Bagga, President of Association said, “For the last several years, Crazy India has been organising the Garba successfully. This year we will follow it.”
