Despite Supreme Court’s clarification on Dahi Handi rules, the original petitioner in the case Swati Patil and her lawyer Nitesh Nevshe are discontent with the state government’s reaction on implement
Despite Supreme Court’s clarification on Dahi Handi rules, the original petitioner in the case Swati Patil and her lawyer Nitesh Nevshe are discontent with the state government’s reaction on implementation of the order. They have claimed that beyond the two rules highlighted in the media, regarding the age bar of 18 and above and pyramid height restrictions at 20 feet, several equally important rules were being ignored.
Ms Patil said the government had ignored the implementation of the high court guidelines as it had not formed any body to check if the guidelines were being adhered to. The court orders directs the state government to form a three-member committee in every ward in Mumbai consisting of a corporator, the ward officer and a police representative. This committee has to ensure the rules are adhered to, check if the govindas participating in the events are above 18, and ensure the pyramid are less than 20-feet high.
The HC order mandates organisers provide safety gear such as helmets and kneecaps to all govindas; it mandates the presence of an ambulance for on-spot treatment of injured govindas, and at least 3-inch thick mat to be spread on the street below the pyramid.
Advocate Nitesh Nevshe, said, “There is no one to check if the other measures are being implemented. These orders should have been obeyed in 2015. We have already filed a contempt of court against the state government and its hearing is due Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, Ms Patil said the only incentive to form tall pyramids was the prize money involved, which is given to the organisers instead of the govindas, who risk their lives. She demanded that the state government regularise the money involved in the game, as most often politicians are the donors.
When this paper spoke to a govinda who was injured during a Dahi Handi festival in Lower Parel, he said, “Giving helmets to participants is a good option but not realistic. It is important to give timely medical help, and financial aid. I faced a terrible injury in 2012, which requires medical attention till date, and my organisers have not given me any compensation.”
