Kerala temple fire tragedy: CM Chandy calls all-party meet on April 14 to discuss ban on fireworks

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has called for an all-party meet scheduled to take place on April 14 in the backdrop of demand for banning fireworks at temples.

The meet will decide on banning fireworks display at all state temples. 

"Have convened an all-party meet on April 14th. The decision on proposed ban on high-decibel firecrackers will be conveyed after the party meet," Chief Minister Chandy was quoted as saying. 

Earlier on Monday, Travancore Devasam Board, which governs nearly 1,000 temples in Kerala, said it will not accept a ban on fireworks asserting that they are part of temple rituals.

“In various temples, fireworks display is part of rituals and we cannot ban it. But it should be as per the restrictions of government and court orders with sufficient safety measures," Travancore Devasam Board president told PTI on Monday.

Chandy had yesterday said that government could impose regulations on the display of fireworks in state temples but cannot ban them completely. 

A Kerala High Court judge on Monday wrote to court registrar seeking a complete ban on fireworks display at all state temples in the wake of Puttingal temple fire tragedy that claimed lives of at least 109 people and left over 380 injured.