Garba nights during Navratri light up Ahmedabad with music, dance and large celebrations. With big crowds at venues across the city, women’s safety is a key concern. This year, Ahmedabad Police have taken a distinctive approach to monitoring the festivities. Women police officers are mingling with the crowds in traditional chaniya cholis, moving among revellers while staying alert for anyone who may need help.
Women officers blend in at Garba venues
A video shared on Ahmedabad Police’s official X account shows women personnel from the SHE Team in traditional chaniya cholis, mixing with people at Garba venues. They look like regular participants enjoying the festivities, but they are on duty and watching the crowd.
Instead of observing only from the sidelines, the officers walk through the gathering and dance alongside other revellers. This lets them see what is happening on the ground and respond if a woman faces harassment or needs assistance. The initiative aims to identify potential troublemakers and make it easier for women to seek help without leaving the celebrations.
What is the SHE Team?
The SHE Team is a specialised police unit set up in Ahmedabad in 2020 to protect women, children and senior citizens. It focuses on improving safety in public spaces, preventing harassment and responding to situations where people may be vulnerable or need police help.
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The team’s role becomes especially important during Navratri, when large numbers of people gather for late-night Garba events. Deploying women officers in plain clothes allows the police to remain vigilant within the crowd while keeping their presence less conspicuous.
Ahmedabad Police have strengthened security arrangements for the festival this year. Around 300 SHE Team personnel from all 49 police stations have been deployed for late-night patrolling. The measures are meant to protect women, children, senior citizens and other members of the public attending the celebrations.
Besides monitoring the crowds, the personnel are talking to young people and encouraging them to share their concerns, rather than limiting interactions to formal safety instructions. These conversations cover the safety of women and children, cyber fraud and awareness of the dangers of drugs.
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