“Why Play With Fire?”: Former DGP R. Sreelekha Questions High-Risk Festival Fireworks Following Thrissur Tragedy

Following a tragic fireworks accident in Mundathikkode, Thrissur, BJP leader and former Director General of Police (DGP) R. Sreelekha has sharply criticized the ongoing practice of high-risk fireworks displays during local festivals. Expressing her concerns via social media, Sreelekha questioned the necessity of such events that jeopardize human lives and involve the exploitation of elephants.

“Thrissur witnessed a tragedy where a fireworks storage area caught fire, resulting in the death of 15 people. These were lives lost in vain,” Sreelekha wrote. She raised serious questions regarding the oversight of such facilities, asking if the police and fire services were aware of the fireworks manufacturing unit operating there and if proper safety protocols were in place.

Highlighting a deeper systemic issue, she questioned how many such illegal or poorly regulated fireworks manufacturing units continue to operate in Thrissur without adequate safety measures. She also criticized the current state of official accountability, suggesting that authorities are often distracted by political engagements rather than addressing urgent public safety concerns.

“Why do we need such festivals that play with fire and gamble with human lives? Why must we continue with displays that involve the torture of elephants meant for the wild?” she questioned. Sreelekha argued that in this digital age, it is time for a serious rethink. She proposed that temple festivals should focus on traditional prayers and rituals rather than high-risk fireworks displays that harm humans, animals, and the environment.

Meanwhile, the state government has officially announced a judicial inquiry into the Mundathikkode fireworks tragedy. Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair will head the single-member judicial commission tasked with investigating the incident. The state cabinet, which met online, declared the tragedy a special disaster and announced compensation of Rs 14 lakh for the families of the deceased. This amount includes Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund and Rs 4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Furthermore, the cabinet has approved Rs 2 lakh in compensation for the injured and committed to providing free medical treatment to all those affected by the disaster.