Amritsar disaster: avoidable tragedy

Mains Paper: 2 | Governance 
Prelims level: Amritsar disaster
Mains level: Responsibility must be fixed for the Amritsar disaster. Political spats won’t help 

Context 

• The ghastly Dasara disaster at Amritsar that has left 59 people dead is a harsh reminder, if any were needed, that government departments have not yet taken official protocols for safety at mass gatherings seriously.
• In the aftermath of the entirely preventable carnage, in which spectators crowding a railway track to watch burning of effigies were mowed down by a train.
• There is a frantic effort to pin responsibility on agencies and individuals, and, deplorably, to exploit public anger for political ends.
• Amritsar points to the basic failure of the district administration and the police, which should have ensured law and order.
• If the organisers of the event had obtained a no-objection certificate from the police, as reports suggest, what role did the law enforcement machinery play in crowd control?
• The Municipal Corporation in Amritsar has tried to distance itself, claiming that its permission was not sought, although almost everyone in the city knew it was taking place. 
• The magisterial inquiry ordered by the Punjab government should examine the actions of the revenue authorities and the police in organising the event, and whether rules were ignored to favour the organisers who claimed proximity to some politicians. 

Analysing the history 

• Major religious festivals in India are often overshadowed by deadly incidents such as stampedes and fires.
• The National Disaster Management Authority has responded to these horrors by creating a guide for State governments and local bodies, laying down a clear protocol to be followed for mass gatherings and festivals. 
• Whether this was followed by the Amritsar authorities in the planning of the Dasara celebrations is one of the questions that must be addressed. 
• There should be a transformation of the way such events are organised, with a lead agency in each State and district empowered to issue instructions, and in turn be accountable for public safety.
• There is a serious deficit of common spaces in cities, towns and villages to conduct spectacular events safely. 
• This is incongruous in a populous country with a tradition of festivals and cultural gatherings. 

Way forward 

• The Punjab government, wiser after the fact, says it will draw up guidelines for the future. At Amritsar, trespass on the track was the prime reason for the accident.
• A campaign to educate the public that railway tracks cannot be treated as commons, and vigorous enforcement, will reduce the probability of such incidents. 
• The Railways must identify hazard spots for train movement in heavily built-up areas and prevent trespass by barricading them. A culture of safety can take root if governments imbibe it first. 

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UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding Amritsar declaration. It’s about 

A.    The delegates from nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like EU participated in conference.  Indian delegation was led by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
B.    The theme of this edition of the conference was “Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity.
C.    The three big issues of the conference were (i) countering terrorism to create stability in Afghanistan, (ii) Providing Afghanistan connectivity to strengthen economic activities and (iii) the development which is essential for its progress.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: B

UPSC Mains Questions:
Q.1) To what extent governments are responsible for Amritsar Disaster. Give your arguments in the answer.