Dahi Handi 2016: Raj Thackeray defies Supreme Court order, Govindas to form 49-feet human pyramid in Thane

Thackeray on Wednesday threatened Mumbai Police for interfering in the dahi handi celebrations in the state

Mumbai, Aug 25: Politics over dahi-handi continued on Janmashtami with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ignoring the Supreme Court directive on dahi-handi celebrations in Maharashtra and placing dahi-handi at 49 feet in Mumbai ‘s Thane district. MNS chief Raj Thacekray had refused to follow the apex court order. The Supreme Court on Wednesday had set 20-feet height limit of dahi-handi, one day ahead of Janmashtami.

The MNS supremo said that courts should not interfere in festivals and directed his team to celebrate the festival with same pomp and fervor. The organisers too said that they were just following the orders of Raj Thackeray. MNS has also announced a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh for a 9-tier pyramid. Several other MNS leaders have organised dahi handi celebrations with huge prize money in Mumbai and Thane. Thacekray has also planned celebrating the festival with a six-tier Dahi Handi formed outside his residence in Shivaji Park in central Mumbai. Outside Thackeray’s residence, his men formed a human pyramid and let young child climb on top of it. Thackeray was then quoted saying, “The court has begun to poke their nose in every other thing. Why should we have elections then? Let the courts run the government.” (ALSO READ: Police warns Dahi Handi organisers to adhere to Supreme Court guidelines)

Last week, the MNS chief had slammed the apex court’s verdict on the Dahi Handi festival which said that nobody under the age of 18 years will be allowed to participate in human pyramid formation on August 25 in Maharashtra. Thackeray had also accused courts of targeting Hindu festivals while being lenient to other religious festivals and said the order reflected the failure of the state government. (ALSO READ- Dahi Handi 2016: A day before Janmashtami, Govinda groups in Mumbai consider backing out over Supreme Court’s strict guidelines)

Openly defying the court orders, Thackeray also said that he is least bothered about a contempt notice. He said that the court should have heard the side of Govinda mandals before taking any action against them. He was quoted saying, “If they take action against dahi handi mandals, matters will escalate. If they want us to keep our heads calm, then they should keep their as well. It’s the government’s duty to maintain law and order.” (ALSO READ- Dahi Handi 2016: Height of human pyramid can’t exceed limit of 20 feet, rules Supreme Court)

Meanwhile, the Thane city police department removed the banner of Raj Thackeray from the stage at Bhagwati Maidan. Thane is expected to witness unrest with the police department keeping a thorough vigil at the celebratory function. Police will also conduct naka-bandis to curb drunk driving incidents. MLA Pratap Sarnaik from Shiv Sena in Thane has vowed to follow the the top court’s guidelines and has invited more women dahi kala pathaks (groups) to participate in the celebrations. (ALSO READ: Upset over Supreme Court curb on Dahi Handi, mandal to return award)

Thackeray on Wednesday threatened Mumbai Police for interfering in the dahi handi celebrations in the state. He said the court did not hear both sides before giving verdict and also attacked the state government for not framing rules and regulations for dahi handi celebrations. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has decided to videograph the violation by organisers. Mumbai Police has also handed over notices to 3387 dahi handi organiser about the Supreme Court’s order and cases will be registered against offenders. The state administration said that law-breakers will not be spared. The police have deployed 90 per cent of its force which includes 30,000 policemen to ensure safety during Dahi Handi festival.

The matter reached Supreme Court after increase in number of deaths and injuries of Govindas while forming the human pyramid. To reduce further risks, the apex court decided on making the pyramid shorter to reduce casualities.