The biggest Govinda celebrations in Mumbai and Thane are controlled by leaders across political parties, who see it as an opportunity to connect with the youth.
The biggest Govinda celebrations in Mumbai and Thane are controlled by leaders across political parties, who see it as an opportunity to connect with the youth. Hence, most of them have expressed displeasure over the Supreme Court’s verdict on Dahi Handis, especially on the restriction on their height.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam, whose Dahi Handi in Ghatkopar is famous, said that he would have to rethink the celebrations. “After the court’s decision, this year’s Dahi Handi will be completely different. The organisers will decide if they want to celebrate it or not. I too am in two minds about it,” he said.
NCP MLA Jitendra Avhad, who organises a Dahi Handi in Thane, said, “The court’s decision is very unfortunate. It had said that there should be no mandaps on the roads when Dahi Handi is celebrated on the roads. It says no noise pollution when Dahi Handi is all about noise. We will have to follow the court’s order, but it is disappointing.”
Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik who, too, organises a Dahi Handi in Thane, said, “I agree with the government’s insistence on an age limit of 18 years. However, the height restriction should be relaxed. We respect the court’s verdict and will celebrate the festival.”
Upset with the decision, MNS leader Bala Nandgaokar, who leads the Mazgaon Tadwadi Govinda Pathak, demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervene in the matter. “Will the SC consider our sentiments We respect the court’s decision, but the state government should have put forth its arguments before the court effectively. Now the PM should intervene in the matter. People will blame the government for putting restrictions on the celebrations,” he said.
Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that courts were framing rules rather than the government nowadays. “The people will lose the joy and thrill of this festival. The court should not disrupt religious fervour. Rather, it should decide on pending matters such as the Ram Mandir and the inclusion of Belgaum in Maharashtra. The chief minister should intervene in the matter and bring some relief to citizens,” he said.
However, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar made an appeal that the festival be celebrated in accordance with the court verdict. “The festival will be celebrated within the legal framework. The state government has put forth Govinda mandals’ point of view and it will do so even in the next hearing in October,” he said.
