Thrissur, April 22 -- Fireworks displays that light up the skies during temple festivals in Kerala have, over the decades, also left behind a trail of devastation, with more than 400 lives lost in nearly 750 accidents across the state.
The grim statistics, coupled with the memory of the devastating Puttingal temple fire, continue to cast a long shadow over festival celebrations, even as the recent blast at Mundathikode brings the issue back into sharp focus.
Meanwhile, various organisations have raised emerging concerns over incidents of violence, political interference, and even suspicions of deliberate sabotage during festival seasons. Though no conclusive evidence has been established, some groups have called for detailed investigation...