Thrissur Pooram | Kerala govt sees electoral ploy in Explosives Act amendments

Velayudhan Chellappat, a 67-year-old farmer from Deshamangalam in Kerala’s Thrissur, is an economics graduate who, in the mid-1970s, chose not to pursue a white-collar career. Instead, he took charge of the family’s rice mill business.

Having spent his entire life in rural Thrissur, local festivals are deeply woven into his lifestyle. He is a devout participant in all nearby Vela, Pooram-temple festivals, Chandanakkudam Nercha (mosque festival) and Palliperunnal (associated with churches), savouring each moment with enthusiasm.

Even in his late 60s, Velayudhan remains a familiar face at fireworks and pyrotechnic displays associated with the festivals of South Malabar, attending them with unwavering passion. He embodies the quintessential Malayali man from Thrissur or Palakkad – rooted in tradition, passionate about culture and untouched by communal divides.

Also read: Kerala govt airs concern over Centre's amendments in Explosives Act

Opposing amendments to Explosives Act

When The Federal met him amid the bypoll hullabaloo – his village falls within the Chelakkara constituency – the conversation cantered around the Union government’s proposed amendments to the rules on explosives.

“This amendment is going to be detrimental to our festival season unless political parties take a united stand and convince (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and (Union home minister) Amit Shah. People from North India usually don’t understand our deep connection to these festivals. It’s not about religion the way they see it – we all enjoy the fireworks, percussion and celebrations, all of which transcends religious boundaries,” said Velayudhan.

The recent amendments to the Explosives Act by the Central government have raised significant concerns in Kerala, particularly regarding their impact on traditional festivals such as Thrissur Pooram. The Kerala government has formally expressed its opposition to these changes, citing potential disruptions to cultural practices.

Essentially, the amended Explosives Act introduces stricter regulations on the use of fireworks during public events.

The new curbs

According to the draft rules, magazine fireworks must be at least 200 meters away from the display site, where the public views the show.

Currently, at Thrissur Pooram, the distance between the magazine and the display site is only 45 meters. There’s also a condition requiring a gap of 100 meters between the spectators and the display. Another proposed norm states that the assembly shed, where fireworks items are stored, should be at least 100 meters away from the display site.

These changes aim to enhance safety measures but have been met with criticism from various quarters in Kerala. Festivals in the state, especially Thrissur Pooram, are known for their elaborate fireworks displays, which are integral to the celebrations.

“The authorities are concerned about potential dangers. We all remember the Puttingal tragedy a few years ago (where 111 people lost their lives in a fireworks accident in Kollam district in 2016). But that hasn’t discouraged anyone. Train accidents happen more frequently than fireworks accidents, do we stop traveling by train?” asked Velayudhan.

“There should be fair regulations, but the proposed ones are too stringent and could effectively shut down the entire pyrotechnic displays associated with our festivals,” he pointed out.

Also read: Kerala bypolls: Rebel trouble for Congress in Palakkad, Chelakkara

Politicians react

The amendments have sparked off a politicalpolitical discussions within Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised the Central government’s approach, stating that laws affecting state traditions should involve consultation with local authorities.

“The state’s concerns on this matter have been brought to the attention of the Union government. It has been decided that the chief minister will send a letter to the Union government, urging them to consider the issue seriously,” said a media release from the chief minister’s office.

In a letter addressed to the Central government, Kerala’s Devaswom minister VN Vasavan articulated the state’s concerns regarding the amendments. He pointed out that the regulations could adversely affect various traditional celebrations that involve fireworks.

“These regulations do not take into account the cultural significance of fireworks in our festivals,” the minister said, adding that they could disrupt longstanding traditions and negatively impact local communities.

Row takes political turn

As the state grapples with the election fever in two Assembly seats and the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, the issue has already taken a political turn.

Chelakkara, one of the constituencies heading to the polls, is considered a hub for fireworks-driven festivals in the South Malabar region.

During last year’s Thrissur Pooram festival, the police tried to enforce restrictions, sparking a major row with allegations that it was deliberately sabotaged to influence the Lok Sabha elections in favour of the BJP.

Amid the chaos after the police intervention, BJP’s Thrissur candidate Suresh Gopi intervened dramatically at 3 am on April 20, facilitating the fireworks display, which was crucial to the festival. Gopi’s intervention earned him public praise and helped the BJP secure its first-ever Lok Sabha win in Kerala, with rivals alleging the Pooram disruptions played a key role in the victory.

“We will ensure that the conduct of Pooram fireworks receives an exemption or special sanction. It is our responsibility, and we have already taken this matter up with the Union government. Every year, there are restrictions in place for the safe conduct of fireworks. However, the issue of Pooram should not be used as a shield for conducting any other fireworks in violation of the norms,” said B Gopalakrishnan, the BJP state vice-president who hails from Thrissur.

Kerala government targets Centre

The CPI(M)-led state government views the amendment to the Explosives Act as a strategic move by the BJP to leverage the issue for electoral gain.

Both CPI(M) and CPI leaders accuse the Union government of trying to shift the responsibility onto the state while swooping in at the last moment to score political points.

Once bitten, twice shy. The Kerala government is treading very carefully regarding the amendment of the rules this time.