Journalism of Courage
Just days ahead of Janmashtami festival when dahi-handi is organised with much fanfare across Mumbai and its suburbs, the Bombay High Court on Monday directed Maharashtra government to restrict the height of human pyramids at 20 feet, and asked the organisers to show greater concern towards the “health and safety” of Govindas — the volunteers who form the human pyramids.
Observing that the age limit in both Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Juvenile Justice Act has been increased from 16 years to 18 years, the Division Bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode also directed the state to bar under 18-year-olds from taking part as Govindas.
The court asked the state government to amend Section 143B of the Bombay Police Act, 1951 to include the dahi-handi festival among the list of dangerous performances. This can be done so that penal action can be taken against those who violate the law, said the court. “We would like to make an urgent appeal to the organisers to take into consideration the health and safety of participants than going after money. Performances can���t be termed as an act of bravery, neither can it be justified.”
Chembur-based social worker Swati Patil and activist V K Thekkare had filed separate PILs seeking reduction of the height of the human pyramids during the festival and restriction on the participation of children.
Over the years, Govinda mandals have broken records for some of the highest human pyramids in the world. In 2012, the Jai Jawan Govinda Mandal from Jogeshwari broke the Guinness Book of World Records after 21 years when it formed a 43.79 feet tall, nine-level human pyramid at Thane. The previous record was held at 39.12 feet by a Spanish group. Together with Jai Jawan, the Shiv Sai Govinda Mandal in Borivali also broke the Limca Book of World Records that year for successfully forming nine-level pyramids.
