Govinda groups to meet for deciding next move

Govinda pathaks (groups) across the city have expressed their displeasure over the Supreme Court's decision to ban participation of kids below the age of 18 in dahi handi celebrations.

Darshan Surve, coach of Shree Jarimari Govinda Pathak in Girgaum, has been participating in dahi handi contests since he was in Class 6. Speaking about the verdict, he said: "It is a cultural festival and a govinda can be from different age group. We make our govindas practice every day. The small groups who usually fall down lacks technical skills. It is preferred to put kids below the age of 18 at the top because of their weight. We won't be going against the SC decision but if they rethink about the decision, it will be of great help."

According to the pathaks, it is a big festival which involves lakhs of people with more than 500 members in every group. The pathaks will soon be having a meeting about the SC verdict in two days.

Arun Patil, coach of Sarvajanik Govinda Pathak from Mazgaon, said: "Around 30 years ago there were small groups who without practicing preformed four tiers (20 feet) human pyramids and there were many people who use to get hospitalised due to lack of practicing. By training every day, we are making the participants capable of performing more than four tiers. We do agree that there should not be a govinda below 12 years of age but increasing the age limit is not welcomed. Dahi Handi is now considered as a sport in the state and while playing any kind of sports some minor accident will happen that does not mean we should stop playing."

However, while representing dahi handi sports international (organised by MTDC), the members do form six-tier human pyramids to showcase their performance at the international level.