Notice issued to Shelar for Dahi Handi violation

The Bombay high court on Tuesday issued notices to office bearers of various mandals and BJP leader Ashish Shelar, head of Dahi Handi Samiti for alleged violation of the guidelines issued by the State government for Dahi Handi celebrations.

The government of Maharashtra had classified the traditional Dahi Handi celebrations as “adventure sports”. The state government

had constituted a committee to study the issue of classifying Dahi Handi celebrations as adventure sports. The committee was formed to give recommendations on the issue, keeping in mind all the strictures passed by the courts.

The government later issued guidelines for the same. According to the new guidelines, no Dahi Handi would be tied about 20 ft and no child below the age of 12 years of age will be permitted to participate in forming human pyramids during Dahi Handi. The participants will also have to submit a

No-Objection Certificate (NoC) signed by their parents or guardians. However, social activist Swati Patil filed a contempt petition in the high court and brought to the notice of court that various organisers, which organises Dahi Handi have violated the guidelines issued by the state.

On this the division bench of Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Revati Mohite-Dere issued notices to commissioner of police, Mumbai, director general of police, Maharashtra, the BMC and BJP leader Ashish Shelar. The court has asked the respondents to file their replies within four weeks.