Govindas bemoan Supreme Court verdict

File photo of a human pyramid. The Supreme Court has restricted the height of human pyramids formed during Dahi Handi celebrations to 20 feet, apart from introducing an age limit for the participants.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Dahi Handis has put off many Govinda mandals, who said that it deprives the festival of its thrill factor since, according to them, the height of the Dahi Handis added to the excitement. But many people had started objecting to the tall human pyramids after children were made to climb up to the top and a few Govindas were killed, with many others left with physical disabilities.

Social activist Swati Patil, one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court, was happy that the festival would now involve certain restrictions. “In recent years, Dahi Handi has not been celebrated as a festival, but as a deadly competition. Hundreds have been injured and some have even lost their lives. It was necessary that the risky aspects of the celebration were removed. I am glad that the Supreme Court understood our grievances and gave a wonderful judgment. I now hope that Dahi Handi would be celebrated as a festival once again,” Ms Patil said.

Govida mandals, however, came up with a counter view.

“The decision has really shocked us. We can understand an age limit to participate as a Govinda, but why should there be height restrictions The whole thrill is now gone. The 20-foot height restriction means there would now be only four layers, when there used to be eight to nine layers earlier,” said Samir Sawant from Prem Nagar Sports Club in Chunabhatti.

Gita Zagde from Parley Sports Club said that the court’s decision has affected the city’s culture.

“We will now have to think about whether to participate in the celebrations or not. There is a perception among people that we participate in Dahi Handis for the money, but that is not correct. We celebrate our culture through this festival,” she said.

Meanwhile, certain school authorities have said that the SC should have kept school outside the purview of the verdict, since the celebrations there are much safer and under the complete supervision of teachers.

Ramesh Redies, the spokesperson of Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary School Principals’ Association, said: “The association of school principals had requested the government to put forth our side before the court. We celebrate Dahi Handi in schools so that the children know their culture.”