Ban minors, limit height of pyramids during Dahi-handi: Bombay High Court

Expressing concern over the death of children every year during the Dahi-handi festival in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court on Friday said the government should regulate the height of human pyramids and ban participation of minors. Children are often made a part of pyramid-making team, as they are lighter and thus can easily climb to the top.

Hearing a public interest litigation filed by Swati Patil, a division bench of Justices VM Kanade and PD Kode asked the state to issue a notification under the Bombay Police Act or other relevant law banning participation of those below 18 years of age in the pyramid-building.

The court also asked the state to ensure that the pyramids, which try and reach the `handi' (pot) of curd tied high up and break it, do not rise above a certain safe height. This year the festival falls on August 18.