Bombay High Court declines to restrict Dahi Handi height

Mumbai: Bombay High Court today refuses to restrict the height of Dahi Handi celebrations and pointed out that nobody can stop accidents, which can even happen in toilets. However, a Division Bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice MS Karnik accepted the Maharashtra Government’s statement before the court that children below 14 hours of age would not be permitted to take part as ‘Govindas.’ Declining to encroach on the legislative domain, the judges said it was for the State Government to enact suitable legislation in respect of height or age restrictions for the Dahi Handi celebrations. The court was hearing bunch of public interest litigations filed by some NGOs expressing concerns over the safety of young children who participate in the Dahi Handi celebrations and form into human pyramids during Janmashtami festival. Three years ago, in August 2014, the High Court had directed the Government to ensure that the height of human pyramids was restricted to 20 feet or four tiers, and the minimum age of ‘Govindas’ should be 18 besides seeking stringent security conditions for the participants. The State Government moved the Supreme Court seeking relaxation on these conditions, but in August 2016, the apex court upheld the HC order and refused to grant any reliefs. Last week, apex court had sent back the matter to Bombay High Court and ordered that the matter be heard on August 7 (today). The popular public festival involves the participants, or Govindas, reenacting the myth of the young Lord Krishna stealing butter from a hanging pot on the ceiling, or the Dahi Handi’. Mumbai is one of the biggest centres for Dahi Handi celebrations with nearly 1000 mandals and Govinda brigades, for the fest falling on August 15 this year.