As a nation we are callous about safety — in homes, workplaces and public spaces. As a race, we are also not too keen to spend money on the upkeep of buildings and other structures. When it comes to handling electricity, our record is terrible — almost everywhere one can see wires hanging loose, mostly to tap power illegally from any available source, including high-tension public lines.
Nevertheless, any major fire is tragic as it is usually the poor who pay with their lives, as we saw in this week’s Kolkata market blaze.
Kolkata appears to have had a particularly poor record. In a hospital fire over a year ago, even ICU patients had to be wheeled out to save their lives. It is undeniable that urgent corrective action is needed in a city known for decaying structures that are relics from the Raj. What is galling is politicians’ ability to get away with lip service and a few lakh rupees in compensation payments.
What possibly makes matters even worse in West Bengal at such times is the reaction of its government that came to power after a historic election two years ago, and which should have been even more receptive to the needs of ordinary people. It is thus regrettable in the wake of yet another tragedy that chief minister Mamata Banerjee should talk about a “conspiracy”, and of how sinister forces were out to dent her government’s image. Talk about “sabotage” at this juncture represents the very worst in politicianspeak.