INDIA: Thirteen people have died due to heatstroke after attending an open-air event organised by the Maharashtra state government in Navi Mumbai. The event was the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony, which this year was presented to activist Appasaheb Dharmadhikari.
Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, were in attendance at the ceremony. The area recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius on the day of the event.
In response to the tragedy, the Maharashtra government has banned outdoor events between noon and 5 p.m. until heatwave conditions in the state abate.
The state government has also announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the families of the deceased. However, the government has come under fire from the opposition over the planning of the event.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar has demanded that a culpable homicide case be registered against the government over the deaths due to heatstroke. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has also criticised the planning of the event.
State minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has stated that the timing of the event was suggested by the awardee, Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. The government has also faced criticism over the timing of the event, which was held at noon when the temperatures were very high.
The tragedy highlights the need for better planning and precautions to be taken during outdoor events, especially during extreme weather conditions.
The Maharashtra government’s decision to ban outdoor events between noon and 5 p.m. until heatwave conditions in the state abate is a step in the right direction to prevent such tragedies in the future.
However, more needs to be done to ensure the safety of people attending outdoor events, such as providing shaded areas, water, and medical facilities.
The tragedy is a reminder that the government and event organisers have a responsibility to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the public.
Also Read: 11 Perish Due to Heat Stroke in Maharashtra Bhushan Award Ceremony
