Supreme Court on Wednesday has upheld the decision by the Bombay High Court on Dahi Handi festival celebration of banning the youth below 18 years of age to participate in the Dahi Handi ritual and restricting the height of human pyramids to 20 feet.

In August 2014, after the decision, the Bombay High Court has said the Maharashtra government to issue a circular providing details of the restrictions. After the order, the Maharashtra government had approached the apex court last week seeking clarity over the issue.

The matter moved in the Supreme Court, which stayed the Bombay High Court orders. The case was again surfaced when a city-based social worker Swati Patil filed a contempt against the State government alleging that the government is not following the Bombay High Court’s orders.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also had asked the people to celebrate the festival but within the guidelines laid out by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court’s decision has its own importance as the Janmashtami festival is approaching and Dahi Handi ritual has tremendous importance in the state. However, sometimes performing the ritual leads to some serious injuries. Many times it gets brutally fatal.  

By Prajakt K