Patna stampede: Detached JD(U) shows disregard for its people again

It’s like de-ja-vu. Two years ago there was a similar tragedy, similar grief, pain and similar popular outrage in Patna. A stampede had killed 18 persons, mostly women and children during Chatt Puja. This year the toll has only risen. Thirty three dead - 20 women and 10 children. A most ridiculous excuse was immediately forwarded, an eye witness who blamed it all on a rumour that a live electricity wire had fallen on the ground. This became almost an official account of what had happened. The government conveniently announced a “high level inquiry” like it had done the last time. By the time the inquiry report comes, the issue would have died down, while the blame would lie with an unidentified ‘mischief monger’ who spread a rumour. Common sense suggest that a rumour that a live wire had fallen on the ground would make people more careful while walking, rather than prompting them to run helter-skelter causing a stampede. But then it’s always easier to blame the mindlessness of a mob, rather than go into the reasoned specifics of a slumbering administration. [caption id=“attachment_1742705” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] The state administration clearly has not learnt any lessons from the last tragedy. The scene outside the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) was as chaotic as it was in November 2012, or when 22 children died after eating a poisonous mid-day meal in July last year or when victims of a bomb blast during Narendra Modi’s Hunkar rally were rushed there in October last year. The situation has actually become worse since these incidents. Since then Nitish Kumar has willfully resigned as chief minister and chosen a nominee to rule the state. With a completely ineffective, fly weight puppet chief minister, Jitan Ram Manjhi, there is not even a semblance of governance in the state. Manjhi knows that he is chief minister of Bihar not because he a good administrator or a great leader but because he is a harmless non-descript persona who enjoys the benevolence of his boss, Nitish Kumar. He obviously, could not care less about concentrating on administration. Manjhi was in celebratory mode at Gandhi Maidan, where the tragedy struck. He had happily left the venue, with the might of the state administration, making it all very comfortable for him as he left for his home constituency in Gaya. His luck had incidentally, smiled at him after he lost parliamentary elections in May this year from Gaya with a huge margin. He naturally owed something to Gaya, even if it was lack of popular support. The stampede happened minutes after he left but he continued with his onward journey. The Chief Minister was forced to return only later when there was a huge media outcry or perhaps because of the prompting of his political boss in Patna. the only fault of the women and children who died was that they had all dressed up and had traveled miles to watch Ravan Dahan. It’s associated with both faith and entertainment. Vijayadashmi was an occasion of joy, showcasing good over evil. But in the end a callous evil administration turned on them to create a man made tragedy. The state administration knew very well knew that a sea of humanity would be converging at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on Vijyadashmi. The Chief Minister was to be the chief guest. While good care was taken for the entry of the Chief Minister and other VIPs, only two other gates, both at a great distance were opened to allow in an estimated five lakh people. Eye witnesses claimed that gate for the general public was only half opened. Right ahead of that gate the road was partly closed because a flyover was being constructed on Exhibition Road, one of the prime commercial areas of the city. By the time the Ravan’s effigy was burnt, it was dark. There was neither any street light nor was there any special lighting at the spot where lakhs were to come out. The men, adventurous ones, could climb on the iron grills of the Maidan’s boundary walls and get out on the street, womenfolk didn’t have that liberty. They fell with children, never to rise again. The official figure claims 33 died but many more are missing. Their loved ones still making desperate rounds to find a clue. Like it happens all the time – a “high level” inquiry has been ordered by the state authorities. The political class has placed its sorrow on record, only to go through the same ritual when a tragedy of this nature strikes again.