By Pankaj Upadhyay: The Maharashtra Congress has written a letter to the Governor demanding a two-day special session of the Legislative Assembly over the death of 14 people due to heatstroke while attending the Maharashtra Bhushan award event in Navi Mumbai’s Kharghar April 16.
State Congress president Nana Patole accused the government of being insensitive and asked if the deaths were the result of heat stroke or a stampede. The Congress has decided to hold press conferences across the state on April 24 on this issue.
“The mismanagement on the part of the government has led to the death of 14 people who had come for the Maharashtra Bhushan programâæThis is an instance of culpable homicide and the Shinde government is hiding the truth…,” said the Maharashtra Congress.
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In his letter to the Governor Ramesh Bais, Nana Patole said the incident, in which 14 people died, is very serious and heart-wrenching.
“Nearly 20 lakh members who love social worker Dr Appasaheb Dharmadhikari came from all over the state for this event. This ceremony was organized by the state government and about Rs 13 crore were spent from the government exchequer. Despite spending so much, not even a tent was built for the audience, they were made to sit for hours in the hot sun. These people could not even get drinking water and many members had to be admitted to the hospital due to heat stroke. What is even more shocking is that along with the heat stroke, news of a stampede is also coming through various media channels, which is very serious,” said Patole.
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The state Congress president alleged negligence on the part of the state government, stating that it could not plan the programme of such a vast scale properly.
“Due to poor planning, 14 deaths have occurred and more than 500 people are undergoing treatment. By saying that Appasaheb Dharmadhikari had given time for the programme, the government is pinning the blame on him,” said Nana Patole.
Lakhs of followers of Dharmadhikari attended the grand function held on a sprawling 306-acre ground in Kharghar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the award, instituted by the Maharashtra government, to Dharmadhikari.
The ground was packed with people and equipped with audio/video facilities for followers of Shree Sadasya (Dharmadhikari’s organisation) to witness the function. The seating arrangement for the attendees was made in the open and there was no shed.
Fourteen people died and more than 120 people suffered from heat-related health issues such as dehydration due to exposure to sunlight during the mega event on Sunday.
