Celebrate dahi handi fest while adhering to SC guidelines: CM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today called for celebrating the forthcoming 'dahi handi' and 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festivals with traditional fervour but in accordance with the guidelines laid down by Supreme Court.
"Celebrate upcoming festivals of 'dahi handi' and 'Ganesh Chaturthi' with gusto but at the same time follow the guidelines given by the apex court," Fadnavis told reporters at Mantralaya here.
He said the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) officials will assist the police in monitoring the noise levels during the festival.
Meanwhile, Mumbai unit BJP president Ashish Shelar said that 'Govindas' in the age group of 12-18 years should also be allowed to participate in the festival and that the restriction on the height of human pyramids should go.

Those who participate in the festival are called as 'Govindas'.
Dahi Handi festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Srikrishna. The celebration involves forming a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pitcher filled with buttermilk which is tied to rope at a height.

"The task of monitoring the decibel levels during the festivals rests with the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB)," Shelar said in a statement issued today.
"The Bombay High Court in its 2014 judgement had set the age limit of 18 years and above for the 'Govindas' and also restricted the height of human pyramids at 20 feet while suggesting an amendment in section 143 (B) of Mumbai Police Act," he stated.

Claiming that the apex court in its order had relaxed the norms set by the HC, Shelar stated that the Chief Minister has also taken a favourable stand on these demands.
The state government had recently sought to give dahi handi festival the status of "adventure sports".
In its order in 2014, the Supreme Court had put on hold the HC's order which barred participation of children under 18 years in the festival.
The apex court had also said that state authorities should ensure that the festival be allowed subject to the condition that the organisers follow all guidelines containing safety measures, recommended by Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, are followed.