Hindustan Times: Mumbai: Friday, August 04, 2017.
Injuries
during Dahi Handi have reduced substantially in the past two years after height
restrictions were imposed in 2014, the Supreme Court was told by the
petitioner, who had asked for a limit on the height of human pyramids and the
age to participate in the festival.
Swati Patil,
the petitioner who collected data on injuries from government hospitals such as
Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Sion hospital, KEM and police
records, said 292 people were injured in 2014 from Mumbai and Thane, 29 of whom
had serious injuries. In 2015, the figure dropped to 142 and then to 64 in
2016.
Another
report, based on data from KEM hospital, submitted to the Supreme Court, said
an average of 200 people suffered injuries every year between 2011 and 2013.
“We also submitted a study by the Journal of Indian Medical Association that
identifies that dahi handi celebrated on large scale carries a high risk of
injuries. A majority of the injuries (84%) were observed during the descent
phase or climbing down after breaking the pot that led to spinal fractures or
paraplegia (partial paralysis),” said Patil.
On Tuesday,
the SC asked the Bombay high court to hear the Maharashtra government’s plea,
challenging the Apex Court’s order capping the height of the human pyramid and
barring the participation of minors during the festivals. The matter will be
heard on August 7 by the high court.
“Apart from
the drastic reduction in injuries, we will tell the high court that security
guidelines such as cushioning the base of pyramids, adequate medical
facilities, building human pyramids on main roads and the use of helmets are
not being followed by the mandals, even after the state made several promises
to the SC,” said Patil.
After Patil
filed a PIL, the Bombay high court, in August 2014, ruled children must not be
allowed to participate in celebrations in view of the danger and taking into
consideration the ever-increasing height of dahi handi. It also limited the
height of the human pyramid to four tiers or about 20 feet. The state
government challenged the order in the Supreme Court, which upheld the
judgement, saying that participants should above 18 years of age.
Dahi handi
mandal members said they will follow all guidelines listed by the state to the
SC. “We have already issued directions to all mandals in the state to ensure
they follow each guideline mentioned by the home department to the SC. We also
welcome the SC’s decision to push the matter back in the form of a fresh plea
back to the HC since all restrictions prior to the hearing now, stand invalid
and the fresh plea will help highlight our plight during the festival,” said
Kamlesh Bhoir, secretary, Dahi Handi Samanvay Samiti, umbrella body of mandals.
The
petitioner also filed an application under Right-to-information (RTI) Act to
find out the steps taken by the state to ensure safety of Govindas following
the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court verdicts.
In its
response on Monday, the home department said it has constituted eight
departments to keep a watch on events to ensure safety of citizens and
Govindas. “I have been told that separate departments will be overseeing that
no minors participate during the festival. The Mumbai police will be checking
the height restrictions and the state information department will conduct
awareness drives based on HC and SC orders at different locations,” said Patil.
Meanwhile,
the Maharashtra state home ministry submitted a list of guidelines to be followed
by the Dahi Handi mandals this year in the form of an affidavit to the SC
during Tuesday’s hearing.
“The state
has deployed adequate police force and personnel during the festival. The state
has also taken all preventive measures to avoid untoward incidents regarding
Dahi Handi festival,” read a document undersigned by Vijay Patil, deputy
secretary, state home department.