How is Dahi Handi an adventure sport: HC
thousands of acres were damaged as heavy rains in southern Odisha resulted in flash floods in Nagavali river.
The floods also disrupted train services between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
With the Nagavali river in spate, Vizinagaram authorities released 29,000 cusecs of water from Thotapalli barrage, resulting in inundation of low-lying areas.
District authorities in Srikakulam district, downstream of the river, also evicted people from the low-lying areas to the safer places.
Vizianagaram collector Vivek Yadav and Srikakulam district collector K Dhanunjay Reddy visited the flood-hit areas.
“There is no threat to the lives of the people. But there is heavy damage to crops,” Reddy told mediapersons.
The Bombay high court on Monday questioned the categorization of Dahi Handi as an ‘adventurous sport’ and directed the Maharashtra government to explain as to what it meant by “adventure sport” and does it mean that high court order - capping height of Dahi Handis and restricting participation in the cultural event to adults only can be flouted under that garb.
“What do you mean by 'adventure sport’”, the bench of Justice RM Savant and Justice Sadhana Jadhav asked assistant public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde. “Does it mean that a five year old can participate in Dahi Handi and the high court order can be flouted openly,” it added.
The bench was hearing a contempt petition file Swati Patil complaining about breach of a high court order passed on her PIL raising concern about the casualties and injuries caused during Dahi Handi celebrations.
Acting on her PIL, high court had in August 2014 ruled that children must not be allowed to participate in Dahi Handi celebrations in view of the inherent dangers involved in the event and taking into consideration the ever-increasing height of Dahi Handis. It also limited the pyramid to four tiers or about 20 feet. The state government has carried the matter to the Supreme Court challenging the high court order and the Apex Court has ordered that no person below 18 years of age can take part in Dahi Handis.