FIR Against Dahi Handi Mandals Associated with Raj Thackeray's MNS

Mumbai: An FIR has been registered on Thursday against 16 mandals associated with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Thane for flouting the safety norms set by the Supreme Court with regards to the height of the human pyramid and the age limit of participants during the Janmashtami celebrations in Mumbai.

The FIR filed against the district head of the MNS in Thane is under various sections of the Bombay police act and relates to the flouting of age limit of govindas which cannot be below 18 years and the height of the human pyramid which cannot be above 20 feet.

Earlier in the day several dahi handi groups in Dadar were seen side-stepping the 20-feet rule, where three separate pyramids showcasing the Govinda's skills were formed, but a tall ladder was brought in to break the curd filled pot.

Some MNS supporters were even spotted wearing t-shirts that said that "I will break the law".

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had rejected a review petition that argued that a height restriction would spoil one of India's most-prominent festivals.

Earlier, the Maharashtra government had also requested the apex court to increase the maximum height that was allowed for the human pyramids from 20 to 25 feet.

MNS Supremo Raj Thackeray too had criticized the court order on Tuesday and asked why only Hindu festivals were targeted even as there was no limit on festivals like Moharram which also led rallies.

The ruling alliance partner Shiv Sena too openly criticised the verdict in a stinging editorial in the Saamna on Wednesday and said that the judiciary was overstepping the "laxman rekha" that separates it from the executive.

Several reports through the day suggested that many Govindas suffered injuries while attempting to break the pots and were admitted to hospitals in different parts of the city.