Maharashtra to Seek UNESCO Heritage Tag for Dahi Handi, Ashish Shelar Says
Speaking at the 'Krishnanand Sohala' event in Parel, Mumbai, on Sunday, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced that the state government will make efforts to get the traditional Dahi Handi festival included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. He also stated that the state will send Govinda teams to Spain.
The gathering was organised by the Maharashtra State Dahi Handi Govinda Association with the participation of Govindas, Dahi Handi teams, and festival-related organisations from across Maharashtra. The programme also featured a collective Shri Krishna aarti.
Addressing the attendees, Shelar urged Dahi Handi organisers and Govinda teams to strictly adhere to safety protocols and traffic regulations during the festival. He stated that while the government remains committed to promoting the Dahi Handi tradition, participants must take all required precautions, follow traffic rules, and ensure that pedestrians and local citizens do not face inconvenience during the celebrations.
Shelar recalled the legal battles previously fought by Govinda teams regarding restrictions placed on Dahi Handi. He noted that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had strongly supported their cause when the matter reached the Supreme Court.
The minister also raised concerns over groups seeking restrictions on traditional Hindu festivals in the state, including Ganeshotsav, Nag Panchami, and Dahi Handi. While acknowledging that civic, environmental, and public safety issues need management, he asserted that moves toward banning festivals are unacceptable.
"Environmental, public safety and traffic concerns must certainly be addressed. But continuously imposing restrictions and eventually moving towards banning our festivals is not acceptable," Shelar said. He further questioned whether individuals and groups advocating for such curbs were linked to urban Naxalism.
Shelar concluded that the Maharashtra government would take responsibility for safeguarding the state's traditional and Hindu festivals while balancing public safety, environmental guidelines, and traffic management.
The event was attended by Maharashtra State Dahi Handi Govinda Association president Bala Padelkar alongside representatives of multiple men's and women's Dahi Handi teams.
