Thane : Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Thursday violated the Supreme Court order limiting the height of human pyramids to 20 feet formed during the Dahi Handi festival to mark Krishna Janmashtami by tying a ‘dahi handi’ 49 feet above the ground and allowing minors to participate.
Avinash Jadhav, MNS Thane city chief said. “If I need to break the law to safeguard Maharashtrian festivals, I am ready to do so. The restriction on tiers is not a law but an order of the court. We have asked govindas to make as many tiers as they want.”
Jadhav T-shirt, read “I will break the law” in Marathi and the 49 feet ‘dahi handi’ was even named as ‘Kayda-bhang’ (law-breaking pyramid). A 12-year-old boy is also likely to be on the top of the pyramid.
“It is not an adult movie which children below 18 shouldn’t watch but is a sport and a celebration which should be kept in mind as they practice throughout the year,” said Panse, adding that Dahi Handi would be celebrated the same way they do every year.
He said. “If they limit the age of participants in Dahi Handi to 18 years, the same should be applied to the game of Cricket, and if they do that a legend like Sachin Tendulkar would not be created and similarly we feel that even kids can participate.”
The Mumbai Police have already issued notice to (MNS) asking the party cadres to honour the court order. A notice under section 149 of the CrPC was issued on Wednesday to Munaf Thakur of the MNS warning him of stern action if he violates the court order.
Party legislator Nitin Sardesai said MNS chief Raj Thackeray has asked people to enjoy the festival in a “traditional way”. “If there is a contempt of court order, it is for the police to take action. We are only celebrating our festival.”