The much-celebrated ‘Aam Mahotsav’ (Mango Festival) in Lucknow turned into an unprecedented scene of chaos on Sunday as enthusiastic visitors stormed mango stalls and began looting mangoes in full public view. Videos from the venue have gone viral, showing people grabbing mango crates, stuffing bags with premium mango varieties, and even climbing counters in a frenzy.
What Happened At The Mango Festival?
Organised by the Uttar Pradesh Mango Growers’ Association (UPMGA) in collaboration with the state horticulture department, the annual Aam Mahotsav showcases over 700 varieties of mangoes, including prized Dussehri, Langda, Safeda, and rare hybrids. The event attracts farmers, mango exporters, traders, and thousands of mango lovers every year.
However, this year’s festival, held at Janeshwar Mishra Park in Gomti Nagar, witnessed an ugly turn when security barriers failed to control the surging crowd towards the stalls where free samples and contest prizes were being distributed. Within minutes, videos showed men and women forcibly grabbing mango crates, upturning display counters, and creating stampede-like conditions, prompting severe criticism from netizens and event organisers.
Event Details: Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Aam Mahotsav (Mango Festival) |
| Venue | Janeshwar Mishra Park, Lucknow |
| Dates | July 5-7, 2025 |
| Organisers | UP Mango Growers’ Association & UP Horticulture Dept |
| Main Attractions | Exhibition of 700+ mango varieties, tasting counters, farmer contests, cultural events |
| Incident | Looting of mangoes on closing day amid poor crowd control |
Organisers Left Stunned
According to UPMGA officials, the festival had started smoothly with over 10,000 visitors on Day 1 and Day 2 enjoying cultural performances, mango competitions, and photo exhibitions. The chaos broke out on the final day as free distribution counters opened.
Rajesh Verma, a member of the organising committee, said:
“We had arranged distribution of small mango gift boxes to schoolchildren and winners of competitions. Suddenly, large groups rushed the counters and forcibly took away entire crates meant for exhibitions. Security personnel were outnumbered.”
Netizens React: ‘Zero Civic Sense’ Trends Online
The incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media platforms, with many calling out the lack of civic sense, discipline, and respect for public events. Some key reactions include:
- “People behaving like they have never seen mangoes before. This is why we can’t have nice things.”
- “Looting mangoes in broad daylight at a cultural festival – shameful behaviour.”
- “Zero civic sense. Embarrassing for the city and state organisers.”
- “Why no proper barricades and controlled distribution counters in place?”
Why Did Crowd Control Fail?
According to police officials on duty, while arrangements for entry and stage management were adequate, the free distribution counters were placed near exit gates, leading to bottlenecks. Additionally:
- Lack of queue management volunteers near stalls
- Absence of multiple distribution counters to disperse crowds
- Announcements for free giveaways without prior token system
- Underestimation of Sunday footfall
Impact On Farmers And Exhibitors
The incident dampened spirits of many farmers and exhibitors, who had spent days preparing their displays. Rare mango hybrids such as Amrapali-Goma hybrid, Sindhuri Gold, and Kesar Malika were among those damaged or stolen.
Sunita Yadav, a mango farmer from Malihabad, said:
“These festivals are for awareness and market connect. Such behaviour discourages us from coming again.”
Event Management Lessons Learnt
Experts in public event management highlighted critical gaps:
- Distribution Protocols: Free giveaways should follow tokenised systems or pre-registered lists.
- Security Deployment: More personnel and barricading near high-interest counters.
- Crowd Flow Design: Stalls, distribution, and exits must be separated with clear signage.
- Volunteer Training: Volunteers equipped with ropes, guidance placards, and crowd discipline training.
- Public Responsibility: Educating attendees on etiquette and purpose of cultural fairs.
State Government Response
While the horticulture department expressed regret, it also condemned the unruly behaviour. Additional Director Horticulture, D.K. Srivastava, stated:
“The festival is for celebration and honouring mango growers. We will work on stricter management next year. Public cooperation is equally important.”
Future Of Aam Mahotsav
Despite the chaos, the event achieved its core objective of showcasing Uttar Pradesh as India’s top mango producing state, contributing over 4.5 million tonnes annually, with major exports to Gulf nations and South Asia.
Key upcoming plans include:
- Dedicated Mango Export Promotion Council formation
- Mango cluster development funds under PMFME scheme
- Advanced packaging and processing training for farmers
- Creating controlled atmosphere ripening units to ensure longer shelf life for exports
Netizens Call For Behavioural Change
The bigger conversation emerging from the incident is about civic sense at public events in India. Many netizens urged educational institutions, social groups, and civic bodies to emphasise public discipline, respect for public property, and understanding the purpose of cultural festivals.
Conclusion
The Lucknow Aam Mahotsav, which was intended as a grand celebration of India’s mango heritage, ended on a sour note due to chaotic looting. While event organisers have vowed to plug management loopholes, the incident has triggered introspection on public behaviour and the need for civic responsibility to ensure such cultural showcases retain their purpose and dignity in future editions.
Disclaimer
This news content is based on eyewitness accounts, official statements, and social media reactions available as of publication. Readers are advised to refer to subsequent updates from the Uttar Pradesh horticulture department and local police for further details on security arrangements and plans for upcoming editions of Aam Mahotsav.
