Organisers upset with the new safety norms issued by the government which is difficult to comply.
Janmashtami festival is likely to lose its sheen this year after the Maharashtra government issued new safety guidelines for dahi handi celebrations. The new norms released by the government have upset dahi handi organisers as they will have to seek permissions from the local police, traffic police, transport department and fire brigade prior to forming human chain. According to them, the government should review the norms as it is a herculean task to obtain permission from all these departments. The government had drafted the norms after several persons were injured during last year’s dahi handi celebrations. It has also accorded the adventure sports status to Dahi Handi. As per the new guidelines, child below 12 years of age won’t be allowed to participate to form human pyramids during Dahi Handi.  The participants will have to submit a No-Objection Certificate (NoC) signed by their parents or guardians.
The organisers will have to provide safety nets, helmets, safety harness, mats and other security requirements to participants for preventing injuries. According to Education Minister Vinod Tawde Dahi Handi would hence forth be celebrated round the year. Dahi Handi celebrations hosted by NCP legislator Jitendra Awhad has been cancelled due to drought in several parts of Maharashtra and new rule imposed by the state. Last year Awhad had announced Rs 1 crore award to mandals forming 10-tiered human pyramids to break the handi.
“The drought situation in the state has taken a dangerous turn. The city too may face scarcity of water as it has not been raining. In such a scenario, it would be inhuman to celebrate when most people in the state are going through a tough time. So we have decided to cancel the event,” said Awhad.
Awhad also blamed government for ‘imposing restrictions’ on the event this year. “The restrictions put by the government like usage of roads, loudspeakers, construction of mandaps, etc. are so bad (that) it will be impossible for us to do anything.
A BJP leader spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity said, “Awhad’s morale has taken a severe beating after the state government had honoured Babasaheb Purandare. Awhad had protested against this issue and had asked the government to withdraw the award. He also is disappointed with the debacle suffered by the NCP in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections and is resorting to cheap gimmicks by abandoning dahi handi celebrations.”
On the other hand, Shiv Sena alleged that Awhad is only trying to gain political mileage by abandoning dahi handi celebrations.
Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said, “Last year Awhad had opposed my decision to scrap Dahi Handi celebrations but today he is emulating me. What was he doing when the state was witnessing drought from last four years?”
The cultural activity, celebrated on Gokulashtmi (Lord Krishna’s birthday), involves forming a human pyramid to reach an earthen pot, filled with buttermilk, at a considerable height. Injuries are common as the human pyramid often collapses.
Janmashthami celebrations in Mumbai have become an annual big business affair with prizes running into crores of rupees, mega-sponsors, intense competition among various groups, mostly backed by politicians and political parties, attracting millions of locals, domestic and foreign tourists.
