Members across political parties have expressed their displeasure over the Supreme Court’s decision to restrict the height of human pyramids to 20 feet and disallowing children below 18 years from taking part. The verdict is likely to scale down Janmashatami celebrations on August 24 and 25 in Mumbai as organisers are mulling over whether to go-ahead with the festivities. Dahi handi is a top draw during the festival and commercialised mandals run by political leaders attract big sponsors and huge crowds.
Ram Kadam, BJP MLA from Ghatkopar, said, “The restrictions imposed by the verdict has made many of us rethink about organising dahi handi this year. I am also in two minds if we should go-ahead.”
Pratap Sarnaik, Shiv Sena MLA from Thane, said, “I was always against govindas below 18 years participating in the human pyramids, but the restriction of 20 feet is a bit unfair. But we will comply with the court order.”
Jitendra Awhad, NCP MLA, said, “I wish the courts had taken a broader view. The court has said that pandals should not be built on the road. But the nature of the celebrations makes it imperative to organise it on the road. The court also said that noise pollution should be curbed, but dahi handi is a noisy festival. It is an unfortunate decision, but we have to respect and obey the apex court’s ruling.”
MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the issue. “Is the Supreme Court going to consider the public sentiment associated with the festival? Does it want to shut down all our festivals? If the festival is shut down, the State and Central governments will have to take responsibility.”
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam urged the Maharashtra government to follow the example of the Tamil Nadu government in the Jalikattu case and file a review petition. “The dahi handi festival is a cultural legacy and young govindas practice for several months to make successful human pyramids. The government should examine the legal provisions and file a review petition.”
An estimated 800 to 1000 dahi handi mandals are erected every year in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai. The Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation’s figures show that 650 govindas were injured in 2013, and 360 were hurt in 2014. After the Bombay High Court placed restrictions on the height of the dahi handis, the number of injured came down sharply to 130 injured in 2015.
