Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra – A proposed ‘Sundowner Coffee Rave Party’, scheduled for 14 February on the occasion of Valentine’s Day at Short Break Cafe, Java Junction, near the Titan showroom in Ahilyanagar, has been cancelled following strong opposition from Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and other Hindu organisations.
The police informed the Samiti office-bearers that the event had been cancelled. Promotional content on the associated Instagram page was also removed.
Shri. Rameshwar Bhukan, District Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, described the cancellation as “a victory of Hindu unity” and said that preventing such events amounted to protecting culture.
Earlier, representatives of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and other pro-Hindu organisations had submitted a memorandum to District Collector Pankaj Ashiya and Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge, urging the authorities to withhold permission for the programme and revoke any approval already granted.
The memorandum referred to instances across the country in which rave parties have allegedly involved the use of narcotic substances such as MDMA, LSD, ganja, charas and cocaine, as revealed in police investigations. The organisations expressed concern that, despite these substances being prohibited under the NDPS Act, such events could create conditions conducive to illegal drug activity.
It expressed concern that Ahilyanagar, as an educational hub with a substantial student population, could face adverse consequences if young people are exposed to substance abuse. Also, alcohol- and drug-influenced environments may lead to harassment, misconduct towards women, obscenity and disturbances to public order.
The memorandum additionally expressed apprehension that offering concessional entry to girls could potentially contribute to incidents of ‘love jihad’.
The memorandum was submitted by Shri. Rameshwar Bhukan, the District Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Geeta Gilda, the State Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha, along with office-bearers of Bajrang Dal, Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh and other pro-Hindu organisations.
Upon taking cognisance of the memorandum, the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police assured appropriate action.
The proposed ‘Sundowner Coffee Rave Party’ was subsequently cancelled as a result of the sustained and united efforts of the participating Hindu organisations. Gratitude was expressed to all the organisations involved, and humble reverence was offered at the feet of God for the successful outcome.
