Dahi handi festival: 'Should those below 18 years participate?'

The state government has approached the Supreme Court seeking clarification on its 2014 order by which it had stayed the Bombay High Court decision banning participation of those below 18 years of age in the popular ‘Dahi-Handi' ritual.

The Bombay High Court had on August 11, 2014 directed the state to issue a circular banning ‘govindas' under the age of 18 from participating in the formation of human pyramids during ‘Dahi-Handi', as well restricting the height of the pyramids to 20 feet. The apex court did not set aside the decision. Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state, said that Janmashtmi is approaching and Dahi Handi is one of its most popular parts.

He told the bench comprising Justice A R Dave and Justice L Nageswara Rao that a clarification was needed as to whether the stay on the high court verdict is still on. To this, the court said the bench, which had heard the matter, will have to be set up again as the judges are sitting in different combinations after which a date will be fixed.