Children below 14 years can’t participate in Dahi handi, says Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Monday lifted the 20-feet height restriction on human pyramids during Dahi Handi celebrations in Maharashtra. The court also accepted the government's undertaking that no children, below the age of 14 years, will be allowed to take part in the festival.

The Maharashtra government, in response to a PIL on Dahi Handi, gave an undertaking that children below 14 years of age will not take part in the competition or be part of the human pyramids. On the issue of restricting the height of the Dahi handi, the court said that it was under the state's ambit. "The height of the human pyramids can only be regulated by the state government. If the court intervenes, it would amount to encroaching on legislative powers," the court observed before lifting the restriction.

A famous ritual in Maharashtra, Dahi Handi will be observed during Janmashtami which falls on August 14 this year. The High Court also asked the state to ensure that organisers adhere to safety measures mentioned by it in the affidavit. "The concerns in regard to accidents of Govindas and the measures recommended for their safety should be adopted to by the organisers," the court said raising concerns over accidents caused due to 'selfies'.

Earlier in August this year, the Supreme Court had sent back the plea to the Bombay HC to consider. The HC was asked to take look into a plea by the Maharashtra government challenging its order restricting the height of the human pyramid and banning participation of minors.