The Kollam temple tragedy, in which over a hundred people died on Sunday, could have been prevented. Based on reports from the fire and safety department, the tahsildar and the police, the district collector and the additional district magistrate had decided to refuse permission for the fireworks show on grounds of safety. The temple authorities, however, disregarded the local administration’s writ, flouted the ban.
It has been revealed that a powerful temple administration connived with influential politicians to subvert the rule of law. This newspaper found that the communal slur was used by the temple administration, with the complicity of Hindu groups and local politicians, to bully the collector and the magistrate, both Muslims. With elections looming, politicians weighed in on the side of the temple administration against the two officials who stood their ground. And eventually, when the fireworks display started in violation of the government directive, police officials at the temple venue refused to intervene, fearing reprisal from the large festive crowd. In short, the local administration seemed to have lost authority in the face of the united assault from various vested interests that ignored safety concerns. Competitive fireworks displays are relatively recent additions in festivals to entertain and attract crowds and business. Traditionally, these displays would be held on large temple grounds or harvested fields. But rapid urbanisation has shrunk open spaces in densely populated Kerala, increasing the risk of accidents during fireworks shows. In Kollam, the stockpile was in a building close to the festival site and caught fire after a stray spark fell on it. As fireworks displays get bigger and louder, safety is as much a concern as noise and air pollution. That there have been at least 750 firecracker-related incidents in the state and many deaths in the past two decades points to the gravity of the problem.
There are clear guidelines on the use and storage of crackers and other fireworks. But by all accounts, the administration is unable to enforce the rules. Powerful custodians of religious centres, aided and abetted by a political class that bypasses the local administration and due process, are to blame. Public safety must be a non-negotiable imperative but for that it is crucial that the process of the progressive emasculation of the local authority is reversed.
