Sanjay Dutt's confession about his inability to learn Marathi, even after six years in Yerwada jail, has inadvertently sparked controversy and put Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik in an awkward position, given Sarnaik's stringent policy on Marathi proficiency for auto and taxi drivers.
Glimpses from Janmashtami celebrations taking shape across India before the festival.
The apex court also said that children below 18 years should not be allowed in the Dahi Handi event.
"It is not for the high court to impose restrictions on the age of the participants and height of the pyramids as this falls exclusively in the domain of the state legislature," Justice Gavai said.
The festival of 'dahi handi' was celebrated across the metropolis and neighbouring Thane district amid fervour that underscores indomitable spirit of an average Mumbaikar shrugging off the drudgery associated with daily life.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that youth below 18 years of age cannot participate in the Dahi Handi ritual, part of the Janmashtami festival, in Maharashtra and the height of the human pyramid for it cannot exceed 20 feet, a limit fixed by the Bombay High Court.
Mumbai Police have issued a prohibitory order banning weapons, explosives, and other harmful articles from August 29 to September 27, ahead of major festivals like Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi. The order aims to maintain public peace and safety, with specific exemptions for government personnel and security guards.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the suspension of Shiv Sena Palghar city president Rahul Gharat following an alleged assault on hospital staff, including a doctor, by party functionaries. The incident occurred at Relief Hospital in Palghar over a dispute concerning medical bills for Dahi Handi participants. Shinde condemned the violence, stating that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that grievances should be addressed through legal channels.
The bench said that the appeal against the high court directions has been disposed of and asked if any order can be passed on a plea that has been disposed of.
When the high court delivered the stringent norms, which in no way eliminated the fun of the proceedings but made it safer, by requiring proper safety measures, there was an undercurrent of defiance. Sensing the adverse implications of loss of a mass contact platform, the government persuaded itself to seek a review, says Mahesh Vijapurkar.
Maharashtra ministers are divided over the use of high-decibel DJ systems during Hindu festivals. While Minister Yogesh Kadam asserts that festival sound will not be stopped, his colleagues Sanjay Shirsat and Meghana Bordikar advocate for adherence to noise pollution norms, with Bordikar citing a personal tragedy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also called for a return to traditional celebrations and a consensus on restricting DJ systems.
No child below the age of 12 years will be permitted to participate in forming human pyramids during the popular Dahi Handi festival, the Supreme Court directed on Thursday while keeping on hold a Bombay high court order, which barred participation of children under 18.
Maharashtra is a unique place to bring in Janmashtami. At every street corner a pot, symbolic of the handi of butter Lord Krishna so loved, is hung high and human pyramids are formed to bring it down.
Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the brand ambassador for the Pro Govinda League (PGL) -- India's first professional human-pyramid league.
A Govinda squad in Thane, India, formed a 10-layer human pyramid during a Dahi Handi event, with organizers claiming it as a world record. A prize of Rs 25 lakh was announced for the team.
Gujarati Khoja or Ismaili dishes are simple yet deliciously prepared in a unique traditional way.
Of the Rs 474.4 crore insurance cover, the largest component -- Rs 375 crore -- has been allocated towards personal accident cover for volunteers.
Here's what your favourite Bollywood celebrities are tweeting.
Check out the star presence at various city pandals during Janmashtami.
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Restrictions on height of pyramids proved by a dampener
What some of our leaders were up to on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Film folk have been busy celebrating Janmashtami in many interesting ways.
Abhay Gaikwad from Punawale, Pune, decided to do something special for Ganeshotsav this year.
Interacting with the athletes at the events he said, "Being a Maharashtrian, Gokulashtami has a very special place in my heart. While Dahi Handi has always been rooted in tradition, Red Bull Jod Ke Tod is instrumental in recognizing and elevating the agility, athleticism and courage of these incredible women and men participating."
From Vallam Kali to Puli Kali, Onam in Kerala is nothing short of a grand cultural extravaganza.
The massive crowds of devotees in temples, elaborately decorated tableaus and Dahi Handi revelry were all missing this year on Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, as celebrations were dampened by COVID-19 restrictions.
Bollywood stars join in the festivities.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Rakesh Kishore said that he was hurt by the CJI's remarks while dismissing a plea seeking restoration of the structure of Lord Vishnu in the Javari temple in Khajuraho.
Here's what your favourite Bollywood celebrities are tweeting.
Here's what your favourite Bollywood celebrities are tweeting.
The people out on the streets dancing, and those who fall and get injured are from families that cannot afford to lose a day's wages, but often end up losing a limb or life, says N Suresh.
Here's some trivia about the Janmashtami song in Oh My God.
Janmashtami, which marks the birthday of Lord Krishna is being celebrated with much fanfare across the country. Across the nation, the festival was being celebrated with much vim and vigour, with govindas forming pyramids, all to get their hands on the prize - the handi.
Heard of Kesard Onji Dina? Which literally translates into 'One day in the mud'.
Janmashtami, which marks the birthday of Lord Krishna is being celebrated with much fanfare across the country.
Janmaashtami, popularly known as Gokulashtami or Dahi Handi, is being celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm across the country.
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