Dahi Handi: BJP leader seeks dropping of 'serious' charges

BJP Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar today demanded that the "serious" IPC sections invoked by the police against the Dahi Handi groups for alleged violation of the Supreme Court's directions should be dropped.
Shelar today wrote a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in this regard.
"BJP had asked the organisers (mandals) to abide by the court's directions not only this year but in future as well," Shelar said in the letter.
Criminal cases were registered against 29 and 20 mandals in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane, respectively, he noted.
"I do not want to comment on the cases registered against mandals ... But certain (IPC) sections registered by the police are serious in nature," he said.

"These sections include sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others), 188 (disobedience of order duly promulgated by public servant) and 34 (common intention)," he said.

"The Govindas (participants of human pyramids) being young, these sections can have adverse impact on their future lives and hamper their growth prospects," he said.
"With a humanitarian view, serious sections like 308 should be quashed. I urge you to consult the Advocate General if required," Shelar said.
In its order on August 17, the apex court had barred those below 18 years of age from participating in the human pyramids which are the main attraction of Janmashtmai festival in Maharashtra. It also capped the height of pyramids at 20 feet, for safety point of view.

However, several mandals allegedly flouted these rules during the Dahi Handi celebrations on August 25.