Mumbai: In a significant order, Bombay High Court has stopped minor govindas below 18 years of age from participating in dahi-handi celebrations.
The High Court has released new guidelines for dahi-handi celebrations. Under new guidelines, no govinda under 18 years of age will be allowed to participate in these celebrations. The new guidelines also provide that the height of the dahi-handi should be less than 20 feet.
The organizers have been asked to ensure the safety of the govindas by putting mattress on the ground so that if a Govinda falls accidently then the injury is not serious.
It should be recalled that 3 govindas have died in last three days while practicing for dahi-handi celebrations.
BJP MP Poonam Mahajan had also demanded ban on minor govindas participating in dahi-handi celebrations. Demanding the ban, Poonam Mahajan had said that children of 12-13 years of age should not be at the top of human period.
Even today, A 19-year-old youth died after participating in ‘Dahi-handi' rehearsals in suburban Jogeshwari here, police said.
Rushikesh Sadashiv Patil, a resident of Gandhi Nagar in Behrambaug, participated in the practice session on Saturday, following which he complained of giddiness, police said.
He complained of uneasiness while interacting with his team members soon after the human pyramid practice, Senior PI Subhash Vele at Oshiwara Police station said, adding, he was rushed to nearby Cooper Hospital where he was declared dead at about 11.40 pm.
Police have registered a case of accidental death in this connection as the cause of death is yet to be ascertained and also because the youth did not sustain any injuries during the ‘Dahi-handi' practice.
“We are awaiting post-mortem report to know the cause of death. Patil had no external injuries and as of now we cannot say that death occurred due to Dahi-handi practice,” Vele said.
Mumbai Police has said that court orders will be followed strictly and legal action will be taken against those dahi-handi mandals who do not adhere to new guidelines.
Mumbai Police will form 100 teams to monitor dahi-handi celebrations and book those who will flout guidelines issued by the Bombay High Court.
