In a development reminiscent of what had transpired at the end of the jallikattu agitation in Tamil Nadu, festival organising committees in a string of temples in Thrissur district have demanded the promulgation of an ordinance to bypass the curbs on fireworks display in connection with the pooram festivities.
The Festival Coordination Committee, an organisation of the festival organisers, refused to withdraw the call for a hartal on Thursday though the Cabinet decided to let the Thrissur Pooram take place without any hindrance.
However, the district administration, worried about the violation of the Explosives Rules after the Puttingal tragedy that claimed more than 100 lives, has made it clear that it will not allow the use of more than 15 kg of firecrackers by each of the temples.
The Explosive Rules 2008 allows the use of only 15 kg of explosives by each temple. There is a Supreme Court directive banning high-decibel fireworks display between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. But the quantity of explosives often exceeds the permissible levels.
A coordination committee meeting here on Wednesday decided to go ahead with the hartal as the district administration refused to lift the restrictions on celebrations, including fireworks and elephant parades. The district administration has not given permission for fireworks for Uthralikkavu Pooram, one of the major festivals in Central Kerala. The Congress and the BJP are supporting the dawn-to-dusk hartal.
“We cannot approve of the decision of the Thrissur district administration to restrict the fireworks display when authorities in Palakkad and Malappuram allow it. We met the District Collector and the Additional District Magistrate after discussions with Minster V.S. Sunil Kumar. As officials refused to obey the directive of the Minster, we are going ahead with the agitation,” said the coordination committee.
The protesters will also organise a day-night agitation in front of the residence of three Ministers from district – Mr. Sunil Kumar, C. Ravindranath and A.C. Moideen on February 26.
