Mumbai: Much has been said about the space crunch in Mumbai’s residential life, but now it’s the Garba grounds facing a similar problem. At the NESCO Garba event, where thousands of Khelaiyas gathered to dance to Parthiv Gohil’s live performance, space disputes have become a growing concern.

Several participants have complained that groups of dancers mark off and “border” their own areas, refusing to let others join in. This practice goes against the true spirit of Navratri, where everyone is considered equal and plays Garba together in multiple rounds around a common center.

Tensions have already escalated—one such dispute reportedly led to a physical altercation during the event, a video of which has gone viral on social media. Sources suggest the fight, too, was sparked by an argument over dance space.

The issue has been worsened by the recent rains in Mumbai, which forced several Garba events, including Falguni Pathak’s, to move indoors. Limited indoor capacity has led to groups reserving sections of the floor—sometimes using dupattas and a show of dadagiri—to keep others away.

Navratri, however, is meant to be a community celebration, where strangers become one in devotion to the Goddess. The practice of blocking space and fighting over territory stands in stark contradiction to that spirit.

Two videos now circulating widely on social media highlight this growing concern and echo the sentiment of many disappointed participants.

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