No harmony at Junoon concert

“The arrangements were very bad, we had passes but we were pushed around and could not get in. The policemen were quite rude,” said Shweta Dixit, a college student from Vasant Kunj. According to one of the organisers who didn’t wish to be identified, the seating capacity of the theatre is only 2,500 but many more passes were distributed. “It is not our fault, what can we do if the policemen let in people without any passes,” he said. Many who had come along with their families had to stay out because of the pushing and jostling. “It is unmanageable, what was the use of having the concert for two days if they can’t control the crowds,” said R.M. Nair, who along with his family was stranded outside the theatre.

“What can we do, they have given so many passes and every one wants to get in, we can’t let every one it and have problems inside,” said a policeman on duty. Angry crowds even broke the barricades put up by the organisers and police had a tough time controlling the crowds. According to many people, when the show stopped abruptly there was a scramble to get out of the theatre, and many complained that there was not enough lights at the exit.

However a spokesperson for the organisers denied there was any problem. “The capacity of the theatre is about 3,000 and we had only 4,000 passes printed and many were not distributed…some people had yesterday’s passes and many didn’t have any passes so they were not allowed it.” Despite repeated attempts senior area police officials were not available for their comments.