Defying the Supreme Court order, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena-organised ‘Dahi handi‘ in Mumbai and Thane, reached the height of 40 ft and above.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the height of human pyramid shouldn’t be more than 20 ft and the minimum age for participation is 18 years.
Avinash Jadhav, the man organising Janmashtami celebrations in Thane, said that he takes his orders from his boss Raj Thackeray, who reportedly told workers that the festival should be observed today the way it’s meant to be.
Mumbai: Celebrations underway in Thane (Maharashtra),’Govindas’ make a 40+ ft pyramid attempting to break #DahiHandi pic.twitter.com/fGMzTXAz7g
— ANI (@ANI_news) 25 August 2016
Further, MNS workers wore T-shirts which read, “I will break the law” in Marathi.
Jadhav says, “The Supreme Court cannot dictate how we celebrate our festivals. If I break the law then I am willing to go to jail for this.”
Thane (Maharashtra): An MNS worker wearing a t-shirt which reads “I will break the law”. #DahiHandi #Janmashtami pic.twitter.com/QG7USlGiGk
— ANI (@ANI_news) 25 August 2016
In an expression of protest against SC ruling, a group in Dadar made the human pyramid on the ground.
Mumbai: After SC order of 20 ft cap for human pyramids,’Govindas’ in Dadar make a 20+ ft pyramid lying on ground pic.twitter.com/VbpGlzeqiN
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Top Most Characters of Mahabharata— ANI (@ANI_news) 25 August 2016
SC put ban on 20+ feet pyramids, so this is our symbolic way of expressing displeasure: Amar,Govinda #DahiHandipic.twitter.com/hOOQjGLbfS
— ANI (@ANI_news) 25 August 2016
Even small children, less than 18 years, were seen participating in the Dahi Handi festival.
In Maharashtra on Janmashtmi, Dahi handis or earthen pots filled with curd are strung up high on poles. Human pyramids are built by participants, who call themselves “Govindas” and compete to reach the pot and break it.
Last year, 300 people were injured and one person was killed during Dahi handi festivities in Maharashtra.
