Within days after the Kollam fireworks tragedy in the southern Indian state of Kerala, mighty fireworks were on display again for a temple festival in a nearby district, Thrissur. Despite the earlier catastrophe which killed close to 110 people, tens of thousands gathered for the popular event — known as Thrissur Pooram at the Vadakkunnathan Temple.
Fireworks, which are widely considered a convention in the temples across Kerala during festival days, hit the sky despite strong opposition from rights groups. The courts had also issued an interim stay for high-decibel fireworks but with little effect. The High Court said temple organizers are free to use up to 4,000 kg of explosives under the close watch of state police forces.
Security has been beefed up at the site to prevent any untoward incident, especially during the final hours of the seven-day festival. Paramilitary troops are also deployed as part of the arrangements.
"A ban on fireworks is necessary since restrictions would not be effective," said Kerala's Director General of Police TP Senkumar. In spite of a strong recommendation from security establishments, the government has decided not to place a ban on the fireworks owing to political and religious sensitivities surrounding in the matter.
Meanwhile, fresh controversy has also broken out at the Thrissur festival, where dozens of jumbo elephants are drafted in to commemorate the event.
Adorned in bright paraphernalia, as many as 70 jumbo elephants were lined up at the festival — with some of them chained. Black paint was splashed on the animals to cover up any marks from injuries, infuriating the animal rights groups who have been protesting against the use of animals at the celebrations. Restrictions pertaining to the parading of elephants were also proposed but were later withdrawn by the government.
The ruling government in Kerala led by the Congress party is also facing political compulsions as assembly elections are set to take place in few weeks.
"The government will extend its full support to the Pooram festival," trumpeted Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
On April 10 an unauthorized display of fireworks in the village of Paravur in Kollam, located about 100 km from Thrissur, went awry claiming 109 lives and injuring more than 300 others. The state is still reeling under the effects of the disaster.
