HC bans kids from playing Govinda in Dahi Handi

The Bombay High Court on Monday banned participation of children below 18 years in forming human pyramids during the popular ‘Dahi Handi’ festival, citing fatal accidents during the celebrations.

The court also directed the Maharashtra government to restrict the height of human pyramids to 20 ft. A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode asked the state to issue a circular by Tuesday with regard to the age bar and restriction on height of human pyramids. “Considering that the performance of Dahi Handi is on August 18, the government is directed to preferably issue the circular by tomorrow (August 12) and give it wide publicity,” the judges said.

The court’s directives came while hearing various public interest litigations including one by Chembur-based social worker Swati Patil, who is the secretary of Utkarsh Mahila Samajik Sanstha an NGO.

Issuing various directions to ensure safety of the Govindas, the high court asked the organisers to give due importance to the health and safety of the participants.