Safety net to secure govindas
The apex court had however refused to relax the ban, following which the state initiated various safety measures.
Mumbai: Ever since the issue of safety of children participating in Janmashtami celebrations by being part of Dahi-handi groups was raised, the state has come out with various safety measures that it has also included in the list of adventure sports.
The high court had on August 11, 2014 had ordered that the height of human pyramids should not exceed 20 feet and that children below the age of 18 should not be allowed to participate. Aggrieved by the order, the Dahi-handi Samanvay Samiti, a group of Dahi-handi celebration organisers had petitioned the state to intervene and also approached the SC for relaxation of the ban. The apex court had however refused to relax the ban, following which the state initiated various safety measures.
One of the first measures initiated by the state was giving the adventure sport status to Dahi-handi in 2015. Following the furore over the height and age restrictions, Vinod Tawde, sports and culture minister had announced the Dahi-handi event would be brought under the adventure sports category and safety measures observed for such sports would have to be adhered to Dahi-handi as well.
According to an official, the other safety guidelines put in place by the state include placing layers of mattresses or pads around the human pyramid and to register and insure all govindas. “The guidelines also direct organisers to provide govindas with safety equipment such as chest guards,” said the official.