Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Mumbai Police Ban Weapons Ahead of Dahi Handi, Ganesh Festival
Mumbai Police have made temporary rules to help keep people safe during upcoming festivals.
From August 29 to September 27, people generally cannot carry weapons or explosives in public.
The restricted items include swords, knives, sticks, lathis and other objects that could hurt someone.
Corrosive chemicals and items that can launch missiles are also covered.
Police can take away prohibited items and disarm people carrying them.
Some government workers can still carry weapons when their jobs require it.
Private guards and other watchmen may carry lathis up to 3.5 feet long.
Dahi Handi will be celebrated on September 5.
The ten-day Ganesh festival will begin on September 14.
Mumbai Police issued a prohibitory order covering weapons, explosives and other potentially harmful articles from August 29 to September 27.
The order was issued under the Maharashtra Police Act by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Akbar Pathan.
It covers arms including swords, spears, knives, sticks and lathis, unless specifically permitted by competent authorities.
The order also bans corrosive substances, explosives, missiles and material considered threatening to public peace, security, decency or morality.
Government personnel and certain watch-and-ward workers are exempted under specified conditions, including a 3.5-foot limit for some lathis.
- Who
- Mumbai Police, under an order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Akbar Pathan.
- What
- A temporary prohibition on carrying weapons, explosives, corrosive substances and other potentially harmful articles, along with certain public displays and utterances.
- When
- The order applies from August 29 through September 27; Dahi Handi is on September 5 and the ten-day Ganesh festival begins September 14.
- Where
- Mumbai.
- Why
- To preserve public peace and safety ahead of the festivals.
- Order period
- August 29 to September 27
- Issuing authority
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Akbar Pathan
- Legal basis
- Maharashtra Police Act
- Restricted items
- Weapons, explosives, corrosive substances, stones, missiles and instruments capable of launching missiles
- Dahi Handi
- September 5
- Ganesh festival
- A ten-day festival beginning September 14
- Specified exemption
- Private security guards, Gurkhas, chowkidars and others performing watch-and-ward duties may carry lathis no longer than 3.5 feet