Diwali is celebrated uniquely in Goa by burning large effigies of the demon Narkasur to mark the victory of Lord Krishna over evil. The recent incident of fireworks being set off inside a private car by an agitated group of people near the outpost at Honda-Sattari set a worst example. Accidents take place due to large effigies of Narkasur touching live electric wires on the road, sound pollution due to late night competitions, drinking alcohol, Narkasur effigies are brought on road to extort money from vehicle drivers thereby creating accidents. Narkasur music and celebrations often face strict police restrictions. Loud music is generally not permitted after 10 pm. This hooliganism connects the mythological demon king Narkasur with modern-day disruptive or violent behaviour. The acts of intimidation and misbehavior are occurring under a false pretense of celebration or tradition. Citizens say that politicians are responsible for the Narkasur craze as they fund local committees to secure votes. The hazardous air quality and high noise levels pose serious health risks. In 2017, Minister Sudin Dhavalikar advocated for ending the practice of burning Narkasur effigies, citing traffic accidents and youth delinquency.
