'Dahi-Handi' festival: Maha govt moves SC for clarification

The Maharashtra 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 a popular 'Dahi-Handi' ritual.
The Bombay High Court had on August 11, 2014 directed the state government to issue a circular banning 'govinda' under the age of 18 from participating in the formation of human pyramids during the 'Dahi-Handi' festival, as well restricting the height of the pyramids to 20 feet.
The apex court, which had stayed the high court order, however, did not set aside the decision.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra government, said that the Janmashtmi festival is approaching and Dahi-Handi is one of the most popular part of it.
He told the bench comprising Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao that a clarification was needed as to whether the stay on the high court verdict is still in operation in view of the fact that the judgement has not been quashed.
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 for the hearing.