Over 30 families in Kerala’s Thrissur worry that their way of life and the vibrant bursts of joy they have crafted for generations may soon become a distant memory due to the amendments to Explosives Act.
Published Oct 28, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2024 | 2:40 PM
In a recent cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the government of Kerala addressed significant concerns regarding the amendments to the Explosives Act announced by the Central government on October 11.
In the quiet town of Kundannur in Kerala’s Thrissur, the vibrant colours and thunderous blasts of fireworks have long marked celebrations and festivals. These celebrations have sustained a rich heritage of family businesses spanning generations.
Suresh PK, part of the fourth generation of a family of firecracker manufacturers, now feels the family tradition weighing heavily on him. The Union government has proposed amendments to the Explosives Act, 1884, that will increase the fines for violations and make for stricter licensing.
Suresh worries that the fireworks business, handed down through generations, now stands on the precipice of turmoil.
There are about 30 families in this tightly-knit community that share Suresh’s concerns. Their way of life and the vibrant bursts of joy they have crafted for generations may soon become a distant memory.
In a recent cabinet meeting, the Kerala government addressed significant concerns regarding the amendments to the Explosives Act announced by the Central government on 11 October.
If implemented, the amendments could severely affect the state’s religious festivals, particularly the renowned Thrissur Pooram, which sees a spectacular display of fireworks each year.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has officially communicated these concerns to the Union government. A letter will be sent from CMO requesting the Union government to pay this matter urgent attention.
State Revenue Minister K. Rajan and Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan have also expressed their opposition to the amendments through recent correspondence with the Centre.
A critical stipulation in the new rules mandates that licensed fireworks storage facilities must be situated at least 200 meters away from the display area. At present, a distance of only 45 meters is required at Thrissur Pooram.
Additionally, the new regulations require a 100-meter buffer zone between spectators and the fireworks display. The proposed law also stipulates the need for an assembly shed for fireworks, which must be located at least 100 meters from the viewing area.
While the intention behind these regulations is to enhance safety measures, they have sparked widespread criticism across Kerala. Fireworks have become a part of the celebratory rituals in major festivals across religions, all over India. Many churches celebrate with fireworks during Christmas, just as during the Thrissur Pooram.
“My great-grandfather learned the art of making fireworks from China. Back then, many people from Thrissur went to China for factory work and were trapped in high-risk fireworks companies. After a few years, they returned home to start their own businesses, as only a select few knew the craft,” Suresh PK told South First.
Sample fireworks of Thrissur Pooram. (Supplied)
“Tragedy has struck our family,” he said. “My father died in a fireworks accident, and my elder brother lost his life while checking the safety of fireworks during a festival. I’m now the one carrying on this business.”
Since the Puttingal temple tragedy in Kollam district in 2016, the industry has faced a significant decline.
“After that incident, licensing laws became much stricter. If the proposed amendments are implemented, the firework industry in Kerala will collapse,” Suresh said.
“Obtaining licenses is challenging, and a minor accident or finding excess stock during inspections can easily lead to the cancellation of the licence. Many people work with us. If these kinds of amendments happen, how will we survive?” Suresh asked.
A house damaged in the Puttingal tragedy.
In the early hours of 10 April, 2016, at approximately 3.30 am, a serene night in Puttingal Temple, Paravur, Kollam was shattered by a catastrophic tragedy.
As the night sky glittered with fireworks, a series of mishaps ignited an explosion that would reverberate through the community.
Sparks from a firecracker ignited a nearby concrete storehouse brimming with more fireworks, unleashing a violent blast that engulfed the temple and sent shockwaves through the crowd.
In an instant, joy turned to horror as 111 lives were tragically lost, and more than 350 individuals suffered severe injuries, many with devastating burns. at least 150 houses that had been reduced to debris.
In the wake of this calamity, the Kerala High Court swiftly intervened, instituting a ban on the display of sound-emitting firecrackers in all places of worship across the state after sunset. This heart-wrenching incident became one of the most significant firework disasters in southern India’s recent history.
Sudeep S. Kadavallur, who has written about the Thrissur Pooram during a long career in journalism said, “You can see numerous firecracker shops in Kerala, from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur. Who buys firecrackers every day? Keralites purchase firecrackers mostly during Vishu or Christmas. So why so many shops? The licence used for fireworks is the same as that used for crusher quarries.”
Kadavallur explained that the small-scale firecracker industry on the outskirts of Thrissur, predominantly family-run businesses, also rely on the same licensing system.
“Even 2,000 to 3,000 kg of explosives are used for Thrissur Pooram and other celebrations. But things changed after the Puttingal temple tragedy; now laws are strict,” he told South First.
He highlighted the historical evolution of the industry. “In the Kundannur and Chelakkara regions of Thrissur, families originally learned the craft of making firecrackers from China. Over the years, artisans from Sivakasi visited these areas to learn the techniques and subsequently established their own businesses. However, while the Thrissur operations remained small and family-run, the Sivakasi enterprises operate on a much larger scale.”
Businesses in Sivakasi, too, are likely to take a hit with the Delhi government banning firecrackers until 1 January 2025 to prevent air pollution during winter. Several other cities have also imposed restrictions on the use of firecrackers.
“Now, the Chinese and Sivakasi lobbies play a crucial behind-the-scenes role in Kerala, trying to establish their monopoly here. Kerala is the biggest market for firecrackers in India,” he claimed.
He lamented the human cost involved, noting that many people are injured and lives are lost, often without proper insurance coverage.
“The state should find ways to preserve the industry here. In Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram, crores in business are happening, which is beyond imagination.”
Gireesh Kumar, the Secretary of the Thiruvambady Devaswom, expressed serious concerns. “Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms held a meeting yesterday to discuss this amendment. It’s impossible to execute because most of the temples don’t have enough space to maintain the required distance from the magazine to the fire line,” he explained.
Kumar further elaborated on the actions being taken in response to the issue. “We lodged complaints to the state and central governments, as well as to the devaswom and revenue ministers. We are also going to approach the Kerala High Court.”
Gireesh Kumar said the livelihoods of those dependent on firecracker manufacturing were at stake. “In India, Thrissur is the only place where more than 10,000 people rely on firecracker making as a livelihood, a tradition handed down by their ancestors.”
Pointing to the timeline of events, he said, “The notification came in June 2018. In July 2018, the Thiruvambady Devaswom approached PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation) in Nagpur regarding this. However, no action was taken by the Center, and they didn’t even inquire about the situation in Thrissur.”
He underlined the need to uphold the value of federalism and prevent the imposition of uniform, centralised laws that do not take account of the uniqueness of different localities. “Things in Kerala are different from other states. The Centre should revoke this amendment.”
Maithreyan, an activist from Kerala, told South First that there was a need to also examine cultural practices and examine whether they cause unnecessary risk.
“Safety comes first. In Kerala, we have witnessed protests against the mandatory use of helmets while riding motorcycles — a sign that despite high levels of education, there is much irrationality,” he said.
“China, the birthplace of firecrackers, has set an example by integrating modern technology for public safety. They have trained operators to use drones for stunning fireworks displays.”
He said that in Kerala, however, there is greater rigidity in the observance of cultural practices, and less willingness to adapt to changing situations.
“We hold fast to outdated practices. Adding ‘Bharathiya’ to the old Indian Penal Code, for instance, does not make for progress. And when amendments are proposed in law, there must be some thought to whether the systems exist to enforce the amendments.”
“People must not cling to customs and praise them when they become out-of-sync with the social and environmental needs of the time,” Maithreyan said.
(Edited by Neena).
