Dahi Handi Row: MNS won't bow down to court orders, Shiv Sena joins cry

Both parties plan to ignore court's orders that human pyramids can't be higher than 20 feet; complain that restrictions are imposed only on Hindu festivals

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has made it crystal clear that it is going ahead with the nine-tier (40-45 feet) dahi handi pyramid in Thane, against Supreme Court orders that has limited the height of these pyramids to 20 feet. Jumping on the bandwagon is the party’s rival, the Shiv Sena. With the BMC elections around the corner, the Sena has taken the side of dahi handi supporters in its mouth-piece Saamna, and claimed that these govinda pathaks attract foreign tourists, too.

MNS’s Avinash Jadhav announced on Friday that the nine-tier dahi handi event would be held at Thane’s Bhagwati Maidan, which will carry prize money of R11 lakh. He had said, “We respect the court, and if we are in contempt, we will seek forgiveness. But, we will still go ahead with the dahi handi event.” Shiv Sena is also speaking on the same lines. Dahi handi is a big event in Thane and Mumbai and both areas will go to the polls in the next six months. “We too are concerned about the Govindas, but why are restrictions put only on Hindu festivals?” Manisha Kayande, Shiv Sena spokesperson, said.

The Saamna editorial added fuel to the fire by saying, “The mandals take yearlong training to make the pyramids. Except for the child Govindas, there’s nothing that can be criticised.”

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