Amid growing demand for ban on temple fireworks display in Kerala in the wake of Kollam tragedy, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) that manages as many as 1,255 temples in the state has refused to say no to such display in temples under it.
“It is not easy to do away with fireworks, since they are part of rituals,” says Prayar Gopalakrishnan, chairman, TDB. The Board has rushed circular to all temples under it, directing that the firework shows should be carried out in compliance with rules and regulations.
Chief minister Oommen Chandy has said that “fireworks, though dangerous, cannot be banned as people see them emotionally”. However, former chief minister AK Antony has said that “in the light of the Kollam tragedy, the government should consider the possibility of banning temple fireworks.”
If a study made by M Jayasurya for Winworld Foundation is any indicator, the temples in Kerala, spend about Rs 2,000 crore per year on fireworks. There are 36,400-odd temples of assorted sizes in the state, according to the study made across an eight-year period, starting 2000.
Meanwhile, Thrissur Pooram, which usually sports the mother of all fireworks displays in temple festivals, is likely to be subdued, in deference to the Kollam temple tragedy. The grand finale to Thrissur Pooram is due on April 17, with a curtain-raiser fireworks show on April 15. The organisers are reportedly ready with 8,000 kg of pyrotechnic materials for the show. Thrissur district administration has convened a meeting of all key stakeholders in organising Thrissur Pooram on the measures to tone down the use of fire crackers in the mega show.
Besides the high death toll of over 100, as many as 383 were injured critically on Sunday during the firework display in Kollam Puttingal temple. Police have registered a case against 25 people.