Navi Mumbai residents allege gambling dens at Navratri mandals, question police inaction

Navratri fervour is visible across Navi Mumbai these days. Amid the devotion to the goddess, a serious and worrying allegation has emerged from different parts of the city. Citizens say that, as during Ganeshotsav, gambling dens are now being set up on a large scale in Navratri mandals and neighbourhood lanes.

According to the information available, gambling tables are being set up at night at several places, inside mandal pandals or behind them. It is alleged that those running the games are professionals who exploit Navratri and operate under the cover of mandals considered safe. Some honest mandals and office-bearers have flatly refused gambling. But at many places, it is being said that the games are allowed to run in the name of money and donations.

Citizens are sharply angry over the matter. People say that whenever a gambling complaint is made to the control room, the beat marshal police merely make a round of the spot as a formality. Citizens say that as soon as they reach a mandal, they "just have a darshan of Goddess Lakshmi and leave."

According to local residents, the main organisers of the gambling openly say, "You have the blessing of the top brass from top to bottom, so don't worry." The question being raised, therefore, is whether Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe and the Crime Branch will take serious note of the matter. All of Navi Mumbai is watching whether the police will take strict action against these illegal activities, and whether Commissioner Bharambe will order a discreet inquiry and act against those concerned.

Concerned citizens say the habit of gambling is ruining young people like cancer. Transactions at gambling dens at night and the presence of intoxicated youths lead to serious incidents such as quarrels, assaults and threats. This is tarnishing the name of public festivals held in the spirit of devotion. People are asking how right it is to accept gambling money as donations.

Citizens also say that during the recently concluded Ganeshotsav, cases were registered against workers of several mandals for "bursting firecrackers". The police took this action citing clear orders from senior officers, which is right and also good work by the police. But today, during Navratri, where gambling dens are being set up openly and on a large scale, the same police are standing by as spectators.

Angry citizens of Navi Mumbai are asking whether action is being deferred there because of "Lakshmi darshan". Or do the orders of senior officers apply only to ordinary people and petty matters? The public wants an answer to why the police, who acted strictly over firecrackers, are sitting silent on gambling dens.