MNS defies Supreme Court order about Dahi Handi tredition

MUMBAI: Many dahi handi organisers in a brazen display of defiance violated the recent Supreme Court order that had imposed height and age restrictions on the Janmashtami celebrations in Mumbai.

The Supreme Court order last week had said the height of a human pyramid that symbolically breaks the handi (earthen pot) should not exceed 20 feet and children below 18 shouldn't be allowed to participate in the event, which had resulted in many fatal injuries in the past.

However, on Thursday, parties such as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) encouraged organisers to defy the court verdict, arguing that people should be allowed to perform their cultural festivities in the way that they had been conducting for ages.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray had earlier asked people to celebrate the festival in 'the traditional way' by ignoring the restrictions. In many parts of the city, including Thane and Chembur, organisers formed human pyramids well over the stipulated 20 feet. While a 20-feet height allows a human pyramid to go up to fourth or fifth tiers, at least six mandals in Thane formed 7-8 tier human pyramids. In Thane again, MNS workers placed the handi at 40 feet and called it 'kayda bhang' (law breaker) handi.