Besides devotees, palkhi also brings men looking for thrills in city; brothels see double the usual visitors
Besides devotees, palkhi also brings men looking for thrills in city; brothels see double the usual visitors
Budhwar Peth, the red light district of the city, has reason to rejoice during the palkhi processions that wind through the city every year. The number of daily visitors is said to double this time of the year.
If NGOs working in the red light area are to be believed, Budhwar Peth gets an additional 5,000 visitors during the three days from the arrival of the two palkhis to their departure from the city.
Extra condoms
Rahul Salvi, project manager with Kayakalp, an NGO working in Budhwar Peth, said a lot more condoms were distributed in the area for three days.
"Around 5,000 more men visit commercial sex workers every year during palkhi time," said Salvi. "Every month we distribute about a lakh condoms, but for the month in which the palkhis come, we make arrangements for an extra 50,000."
Rushali (name changed), a sex worker, said the increase in visitors was not unusual for this time of the year, when the palkhis take a halt in the city.
"We are only interested in the money," said Rushali.
"We don't care who our visitors are."
Sundari, Rushali's neighbour, said that many of their visitors during these three-four days come from rural areas, and they do not want to use a condom. "We have to insist and explain that it is important," said Sundari.
Seema Wagmode, director of Kayakalp, said, "Every year we see people from the palkhi processions visiting brothels. A couple of years ago, we held a special demonstration on how to use condoms for them, considering the threat of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS."
Police helpless
Police officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told MiD DAY that measures to stop people accompanying palkhis from going to brothels were discussed in a high-level meeting that was held at the Faraskhana police station four days ago. The officials said the meeting was presided over by the deputy commissioner of police of the zone.
"At first, prohibiting commercial sex workers from standing on the roads outside brothels was thought of, but we found it was difficult to implement in practice," said the official. "Police vehicles with loudspeakers were then used to make announcements requesting pilgrims to move out of the red light area."
'Not warkaris'
"Many people disguised as warkaris indulge in sinful activities like going to brothels or asking for money during the palkhi. We strongly condemn such behaviour," said Umesh Bhosale, city spokesperson for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). "The VHP has taken this issue seriously and appeals to people to be aware of these things. A genuine warkari does not stray from his dindi and has to strictly stick to his duty."
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