mid-day editorial: Break the handi, not the law

Today, as the city erupts in dahi handi revelries, let's remember to keep safety first, from the human pyramid formations to the traffic on road.

Just yesterday, this paper reported that a young cop riding his bike without a helmet died in a hit-and-run accident on Monday night. The constable, Vrishabh Mali, attached with the Goregaon police station, was heading home from Palghar station, when his two-wheeler was hit by a heavy vehicle. He was thrown off his bike, sustained head injuries and later, died in the hospital.

The fact is that those who make laws need to follow them. Only this will ensure that more people adhere to them. When lawmakers and enforcers turn into lawbreakers, then there is little wisdom in expecting the public to observe traffic laws.

Having said that, the tragedy must resonate even more today, because the streets will be full of Govindas on bikes, post the dahi handi celebrations. They need to ride while minding the safety of themselves and others on the road. We routinely see three to four young men squashed together on a bike, careening madly on the roads, with the rider challenged by the added weight on the bike, thanks to at least two boys riding pillion. Most of them do not wear helmets, zip past at tremendous speed as the traffic is sparse, and break all kinds of traffic rules. Let these bikers realise the danger to others on the road, with this kind of rough riding. Enjoy a festival by all means, but not by throwing caution to the wind.

Every festival in the city must be marked with respect for others and a premium on life and limb. Going at breakneck speed, as if the city's roads are an F-1 track cannot be passed off as revelry. Let us not give in or pander to political parties who might give a communal colour to any police action on offenders today. Let us, as a discerning and sensible public, see through the divisive politics and games being played. This Janmasthami, let's break just the handi, not the law.