Mumbai: A Govinda mandal, which features in the Guinness Book of World Records for making the tallest human pyramid, has decided to return the appreciation certificate to the President as a mark of protest over the caps imposed by the Supreme Court on Dahi Handi ritual.
Last week, the Supreme Court said young men below 18 years of age cannot participate in the popular ritual, part of Janmashtami festival, in Maharashtra and the height of the human pyramid cannot exceed 20 feet, a limit fixed by the Bombay High Court.
Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak (festival participants are called Govindas or Govinda pathak) has expressed disappointment over the ruling.
"We are very disappointed with the the Supreme Court order on human pyramid. The Supreme Court has finished the charm of this game and the festival as well. There is no point to keep the record (Guinness certificate) with us. We have decided to return it to the President," said Sandeep Dhawle, a trainer with the 17-year-old mandal (group), on Tuesday.
This group, which has 540 Govindas in its fold, had broken Spain's record of 39.27 feet high human pyramid by forming 43.79 feet structure with nine levels in August 2012 in adjoining Thane.
Sandeep said, "We have decided to return our Guinness World Record Certificate to the President as keeping it makes no sense for us. But first we are going to see the result of a petition filed against the ruling.
"We have pinned our hope on the fresh petition. But if Supreme Court does not lift the ban, we would return our certificate."
Dahi Handi entails forming tall human pyramids of youngsters to break an earthen pot filled with curd and other items, which tied at a height. Prizes running into lakhs are offered for breaking the pot, making the ritual a big draw in Maharashtra, especially Mumbai.
Last week, the Supreme Court said young men below 18 years of age cannot participate in the popular ritual, part of Janmashtami festival, in Maharashtra and the height of the human pyramid cannot exceed 20 feet, a limit fixed by the Bombay High Court.
Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak (festival participants are called Govindas or Govinda pathak) has expressed disappointment over the ruling.
This group, which has 540 Govindas in its fold, had broken Spain's record of 39.27 feet high human pyramid by forming 43.79 feet structure with nine levels in August 2012 in adjoining Thane.
Advertisement
"We have pinned our hope on the fresh petition. But if Supreme Court does not lift the ban, we would return our certificate."
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
NDTV Impact: Probe Team Ordered Over Minister's Role In Disappearance Supreme Court Creates History, Gives Senior Advocate Tag To Manipur Lawyer "Will Suspend All Freebies Unless...": Supreme Court's Warning To Maharashtra "Took Advantage Of His Addiction": 5 Charged Over Matthew Perry's Death Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool White House Slams Violence Against West Bank Palestinian Settlers By Israel US Approves Sale Of 600 Patriot Missiles To Germany Ceasefire Must Involve "Complete" Israeli Withdrawal From Gaza: Hamas Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.