On Tuesday, actor Mukesh took some time out from his hectic campaigning schedule in the Kollam constituency for the assembly elections scheduled to be held on May 16 to speak to The News Minute about his views on what could have triggered the Puttingal temple tragedy at Paravu.
When asked to comment on the use of fireworks as part of temple festivities in the backdrop of the Puttingal temple tragedy which claimed 111 lives and injured over 300, Mukesh had this to say: “Festivities of any sort –irrespective of religious affiliations- should be held within reasonable limits, not at the cost of human lives. Why wait till the last minute for permission to be granted or for a ban to be implemented as seen in the case of the Puttingal temple tragedy? People should be made aware that as per the law, it’s just not done.”
He goes on to add: “I visited the blast site. Imagine fireworks involving such dangerous explosives being held on such a small ground. In the first place, you need to have a comparatively larger space when fireworks of such magnitude are hosted. Then, unless stringent security measures are in place, permission should not be given for the same. It is the duty of the authorities to educate the masses of the inherent dangers involved including the threat to human lives.”