Gangasagar, January 9. A significant fire broke out at the grand Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal on Friday morning, resulting in the destruction of several temporary tents. The incident caused panic among the attendees, prompting fire department vehicles to rush to the scene. Firefighters worked for several hours to bring the blaze under control.
The fire reportedly occurred on Road Number 2, in front of the Kapil Muni Temple, where temporary tents had been erected ahead of the festival. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries from this incident.
This fire incident has raised concerns regarding safety and fire prevention measures ahead of the Gangasagar Mela. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the state government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, for the persistent chaos surrounding the event.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, took to the social media platform X to express his concerns, stating, “This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a troubling pattern. Year after year, the Gangasagar Mela is known for disorder, poor planning, and shocking negligence towards public safety. There have been previous incidents where lives were lost in stampedes. This time, a devastating fire erupted in one of the most crowded areas of the festival.”
He added, “When millions of devotees gather at a sacred site, basic safety measures are not optional but a responsibility. Compliance with fire safety standards, emergency exits, crowd management, and disaster preparedness cannot be an afterthought.”
Malviya further questioned the West Bengal government’s accountability, asking how many warnings must be ignored before action is taken. He stressed that the Gangasagar event should not be treated merely as a photo-op but as a serious administrative duty, asking, “How many more accidents or tragedies will occur before changes are made?”
He concluded by emphasizing that Hinduism deserves respect and that devotees should be provided with safety, rather than facing negligence year after year.