The Supreme Court has on Thursday quashed the Bombay High Court’s ruling banning kids below 18-years of age to become part of human pyramids during Janmashtami festival that falls on August 18.   However, the apex court has directed the state government not to allow kids below 12 years of age to participate in the festival.

The ruling came in the wake of a petition that had been filed in the SC challenging Bombay HC’s order that imposed restrictions on Dahi Handi celebrations. The HC order had banned minors from taking part in the human pyramid formation which is formed according to customs to break a hung earthen pot filled with curd. The order had also imposed a restriction of 20-ft height limit for these human pyramids.

The HC order had reportedly prompted at least a dozen events cancellations. The dahi handi custom is one of the main highlights of Janmashtami festival in Mumbai.

It should also be recalled here that, Dahi handis – which are celebrated with much fanfare in Mumbai every successive year, had invited flak for including minors in human pyramids from none other than the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR). The state’s constitutional body had recommended ban on participation of children below 12 years of age from being a part of dahi handi pyramids.

The mandals that organizes this sporting festival who were irked by the MSCPCR’s decision were happy with the SC’s ruling.