Devendra Fadnavis Government’s Revolutionary Decision: Dahi Handi Recognized as Adventure Sport, Insurance Scheme for Govindas
Devendra Fadnavis Government's Revolutionary Decision: Dahi Handi Recognized as Adventure Sport, Insurance Scheme for Govindas
Under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra has made efforts to promote various cultural and traditional initiatives. One significant decision was to grant the traditional and cultural practice of Dahi Handi the status of an adventure sport. Along with this, an insurance protection option (Dahi Handi Insurance Scheme) was made available for Govinda teams participating in this adventure sport. Dahi Handi festival is not merely part of religious and cultural tradition. The objective is to provide youth with the opportunity to participate in daring and skilled sports through Dahi Handi. The Devendra Fadnavis government has made available various facilities for the safety of Dahi Handi sports and for the participants, including insurance, medical facilities, and financial assistance. This has made the sport more organized and secure.
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2014
12
Dec 2014
Devendra Fadnavis Announces Formation of Committee on Dahi Handi
Gokulashtami, or Dahi Handi, is an important cultural festival observed in Maharashtra. In this festival, a large number of youth participate. Through this festival, youth demonstrate their courage. Therefore, members of various Dahi Handi groups demanded through representatives that Dahi Handi be included in the category of adventure sports. In response, then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a committee on this matter in the Winter Session of December 2014.
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2015
11
Feb 2015
Committee to Include Dahi Handi Festival in Sports Category
A committee comprising legislators and expert persons to include Dahi Handi festival in the adventure sports category was constituted through a Government Resolution of 11 Feb 2015, chaired by MLA Aashish Shelar. The committee was entrusted with the responsibility of considering competition organization for including Dahi Handi festival in the adventure sports category, compliance with orders from the High Court and Supreme Court, formulation of rules necessary for adventure sports, and submission of recommendations to the government regarding facilities to be provided to participants in Dahi Handi sports.
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11
Aug 2015
Committee of Legislators under the Chairmanship of MLA Aashish Shelar
With the objective of providing youth in the state with opportunities in the adventure sports sector and promoting and encouraging the sporting qualities within them, the committee headed by MLA Aashish Shelar recommended that the Govinda practice of constructing human pyramids be granted the status of an adventure sport. Accordingly, the decision to grant Dahi Handi the status of an adventure sport was taken through a Government Resolution of 11 Aug 2015.
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2016
31
Mar 2016
Establishment of Local Monitoring Committee Regarding Participation of Young Children
A petition had been filed in the Mumbai High Court seeking a ban on the participation of young children in Dahi Handi. In a hearing held on 11 Aug 2014 on this petition, the court ordered the state government to establish a local monitoring committee for the Dahi Handi festival. Accordingly, the Fadnavis government issued a Government Resolution on 31 Mar 2016 regarding the establishment of a local monitoring committee.
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29
Jun 2016
Ban on Children Under 12 Years from Participating in Dahi Handi
As mentioned in the court order of 14 Aug 2014, the State Child Rights Protection Commission ordered a ban on children under 12 years from participating in the Dahi Handi festival. Accordingly, complying with the orders of the Supreme Court and the State Child Rights Protection Commission, the state government issued a Government Resolution on 29 Jun 2016 banning children under 12 years from participating in the Dahi Handi festival.
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24
Aug 2016
Ban on Children Under 18 Years from Participating in Dahi Handi
Following the directives of the court and the State Child Rights Protection Commission, the state government issued a Government Resolution banning children under 12 years. However, the court amended this to 18 years. Accordingly, the government issued a Government Resolution on 24 Aug 2016 imposing a ban on children under 18 years from participating in the Dahi Handi festival.
Granting Adventure Sport Status to the Practice of Constructing Human Pyramids
The Fadnavis government decided to grant adventure sport status to the practice of constructing human pyramids in the traditional Dahi Handi sport by Govinda teams. Regarding the participation of young children in Dahi Handi sports, the High Court and Supreme Court have repeatedly issued directives. Following these directives, the state government has decided to grant this practice the status of an adventure sport. Additionally, the government decided to include guidelines for participants in this sport.
Meeting with All Stakeholders Associated with Dahi Handi
After taking over as Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis has continuously engaged in discussions with organizers of Dahi Handi events, Govindas participating in the event, and representatives raising objections regarding the height of the Dahi Handi, and made decisions accordingly. After discussing with all stakeholders associated with Dahi Handi, rules and safety policies were formulated. Following this, after the government granted adventure sport status to Dahi Handi in 2016, a meeting of all stakeholders involved in organizing this event was conducted on 6 Jul 2017 and guidelines were reiterated.
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2022
18
Aug 2022
Cases Filed During Dahi Handi Festival Period Withdrawn
Following directives given by the court regarding Ganesh and Dahi Handi festivals, the state government had issued certain guidelines. Cases had been filed against those who violated these guidelines. This resulted in various difficulties for students, youth, and citizens. Consequently, reconsidering the demands made by local representatives and concerned family members, the state government decided, after issuing strict warnings to the concerned parties and collecting compensation as per rules, to withdraw the said cases. This decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting on 27 Jul 2022. Following the Cabinet decision, the government issued a Government Resolution on 18 Aug 2022 to withdraw cases filed during the Ganesh and Dahi Handi festival periods.
Insurance for 50,000 Govindas by the State Government
Regarding insuring Govindas participating in the Dahi Handi festival and organizing the Pro-Govinda League competition in the context of Dahi Handi, the state government held a meeting on 25 Jul 2023. Following this, on 11 Aug 2023, a meeting was held with officials of the Sports Commissioner and members of the Dahi Handi Coordination Committee. Based on discussions in the meeting, protection (Dahi Handi Insurance Scheme) was provided to Govindas participating in the Dahi Handi festival and Pro-Govinda League through Oriental Insurance Company. A decision was taken through a Government Resolution of 18 Aug 2023 to provide funds totaling Rs 37 lakh 50 thousand for 50,000 Govindas at Rs 75 per Govinda to the insurance company with the approval of the Dahi Handi Coordination Committee. As per this decision, if a Govinda dies in an accident or loses two limbs or both eyes during the event, or becomes permanently disabled, insurance protection of Rs 10 lakh is provided. Additionally, if a Govinda loses one hand, one leg, or one eye, insurance protection of Rs 5 lakh is provided.
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2024
25
Jul 2024
Insurance for 75,000 Govindas Constructing Human Pyramids
For the year 2024, following the pattern of 2023, approval was given through a Government Resolution of 25 Jul 2024 to provide insurance protection (Dahi Handi Insurance Scheme) to 75,000 Govindas in the state constructing human pyramids and participating in the Dahi Handi festival in case of accidents or mishaps. If a Govinda dies accidentally during the Dahi Handi festival, insurance protection of Rs 10 lakh is provided. Similarly, for those losing two limbs or both eyes, Rs 10 lakh is provided; for those losing one hand, one leg, or one eye, Rs 5 lakh is provided. Insurance protection of Rs 10 lakh is provided for those becoming permanently disabled. Additionally, for hospital expenses incurred due to accidents, actual expenses incurred or up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh of expenses are covered under insurance.
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2025
23
Jul 2025
Insurance Coverage for 1,50,000 Dahi Handi Participants in the State by the Government
During the 2024 Dahi Handi festival, insurance protection was provided to 75,000 Govindas constructing human pyramids. Considering the growing popularity of the festival and the increasing number of Govindas this year, the Devendra Fadnavis government has decided to provide insurance protection to 1,50,000 Govindas in the state participating in the Dahi Handi festival in 2025.
If a Govinda dies accidentally while constructing human pyramids in Dahi Handi, insurance protection of Rs 10 lakh is provided to the family. Similarly, for those losing two limbs or both eyes, Rs 10 lakh is provided; for those losing one hand, one leg, or one eye, Rs 5 lakh is provided. Insurance protection of Rs 10 lakh is provided for those becoming permanently disabled. Additionally, for hospital expenses incurred due to accidents, actual expenses incurred or up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh of expenses are covered under insurance.
Insurance Protection of Rs 10 Lakh for 1,60,000 Govindas at Rs 75
Considering the growing popularity of the Dahi Handi festival and the increasing number of Govindas, the Devendra Fadnavis government has decided to provide insurance protection to 1,60,000 Govindas in the state in 2026. The government has directed that the premium for Govindas should be maximum Rs 75 per Govinda or less, and has also directed to select a government insurance company for this insurance protection. The nature and benefits of the insurance as published by the government through the Government Resolution are as follows: If a Govinda dies accidentally while participating in Dahi Handi, insurance protection of Rs 10 lakh is provided for this. If two limbs or both eyes are lost, Rs 10 lakh; if one hand, one leg, or one eye is lost, Rs 5 lakh; for complete permanent disability, Rs 10 lakh; and for hospital expenses incurred due to accidents, actual expenses incurred or up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh of expenses are covered under insurance.
When Devendra Fadnavis was Chief Minister, he granted adventure sport status to Dahi Handi. At the same time, he took a decision regarding insurance protection for Govinda teams participating in it (Dahi Handi Insurance Policy). The objective of this decision is to provide a safety net to participants in case of accidents during the Dahi Handi festival. In this sport, players, particularly youth, construct tall human pyramids to break large earthen pots, which involves risk of accidents. Therefore, the Fadnavis government implemented an insurance scheme for Govinda teams. This scheme includes medical expenses for Govindas participating in Dahi Handi competitions. Through this government decision, Govindas receive immediate medical assistance for injuries caused by accidents, and in case of serious accidents, financial assistance is provided by the government. Particularly in cases of serious injury or death, there is also an option to provide financial compensation to Govindas’ families. Overall, this decision has increased awareness of safety among Govinda teams, and Dahi Handi sports have come to be played with greater responsibility.
