Professor
M.N. Vijayan
A
prolific literary and social critic, writer, philosopher and orator.
Light
and sound have become consumer goods. Pooram,
Melam , Vedikkettu and Elephants display are catering
to the market interests. Religion
is a chain that binds us. There
are other chains beyond religions. Capital
and Capitalism tied us to new chains, chains of greed, avarice and
consumerism. Religion
today has been reduced to a visual entertainer. Explosives
were used in Warfare firstly by the Chinese, to kill, to destroy. Explosives
are destructive in nature. Peace
is boring, destruction is exciting. War,
therefore, is an excitement, the peak of human activity. ‘Wonder’
is the product of ‘competition’,
a major factor in Thrissur Pooram.
The
festival has been an extremely dangerous competition for last many
years. Competition
becomes indispensable in a transition from feudalism to bourgeoisie.
How
to present the enchanting visual display safe, secure and delightful
should
be our collective thinking and activity.
Dr.
M. Nambirajan
Department
of Archeology
Vadakkunathan
Temple is of Thrissur
is 11-12th C. It was declared ‘protected’ in 1951.
The law prohibits blasting. In
a case in 2002, it was ordered that sound of ‘vedikkettu’
should be substantially toned down. But
it was totally ignored in subsequent years. Fire
crackers are not allowed near archeological monuments anywhere in
the world. Higher
intensity crackers are causing damages to the gopuras of the
temple. Due
to the damaging effect on the foundations, major conservation works
will be imperative in few years. Whether
the Deity itself is damaged due to the explosions have to be
examined and ascertained. Archeology
department opposes high intensity crackers. ASI
respects the sentiments and traditions, but would assert that unless
the intensity of crackers is strictly brought to permissible
standards, the consequence will be catastrophic and colossal.
Advocate
P. Pramod
District
Court, Thrissur
All
tragedies in connection with firework displays were caused by sheer
violations of existing laws and criminal negligence of the
authorities concerned. The
supreme court order on sound pollution itself is enough to ban the
controversial ‘vedikkettu’
for ever. Vedikkettu
is of recent origin, not even one century old. Temples,
churches and mosques should be ‘silence zones’. There
is no legal sanction for vedikkettu from 10 p.m. to 6
a.m. Often
the organizers and authorities distort or manipulate the apex
court’s order. For
their vested interests, the interests of the business class and of
anti-social elements. The
explosives that are being allowed to temples, are being diverted and
hoarded to undisclosed destinations and that must be used for
terrorist activities. This
has to be probed meticulously. Vedikkettu
is a threat to the right of people to live fearlessly.
Professor
M. Madhavankutty
Thiruvampady
Dewasom
All
security provisions are adequately provided and complied with
since 1978. Vedikkettu must be safe and protected. It
can not be avoided. There
is no hoarding or smuggling or leaking of explosives during the
transit to the temples. There
are around 50,000 workers and their families depending on the
manufacture works of crackers. Modern
technologies from the developed nations may be introduced and it
could be made accessible to our workers. The
size of the crackers could also be reduced. The
unscientific new constructions and lack of planning in town development programmes are also major factors for the anxiety of
people.
Advocate
Kunnambath Balakrishna Menon
Paremekavu
Devasom
Thrissur
Pooram has earned global attention as one of a phenomenal show of
visual arts in divine colours. Vedikkettu
is indispensable part of Thrissur Pooram that could not be de-liked.
Pooram
is a matter of pride and cultural hegemony
of every citizen of Thrissur. However,
it is imperative that the intensity of Vedikkettu should be
controlled substantially. There
is strict instruction in the contract that no banned substance
should be used in the manufacture of explosives. Only
trained and experienced people should be employed in making the
crack ers. To
make it more safe and secure, the fire work display should focus on
its colour dimension than its sound aspect. Devasom
is prepared to introduce this change, but the public should also
cooperate with the Devasom in this regard.
Mr.
Davis Kannanaikal
Activist,
& Member, Block Panchayath
No
one should appreciate or promote Vedikkettu once he / she happened
to witness an accident caused by explosives. I ‘ve witnessed two
accidents in the past and has been at the site of the accident in
less than 15 minitues at Padukkadu in Thrissur where 7 young men
were blown into pieces in May 2006, just two days ahead of Thrissur
Pooram. Festivals
and Poorams have no relation to spirituality or religion.
The
agenda for Poorams is determined not by religious leaders, but by
business magnets. Civil
authorities and people’s representatives are silent spectators
while law breakers and organized anti-social elements take control
of affairs. There
is no sense or logic in linking Vedikkettu and employment of
workers. Engagement in illegal activities does not enjoy legal
protection, hence no social sanction. Thrissur
Pooram has a trend-setting effect on other Poorams else where in the
State. It
is only a myth that all Malayalees enjoy the devastating and
destructive ‘show’ of the Vedikkettu. Vedikkettu
should be re-invented as one of visual entertainment without sound
effect.
Shri.
V.K. Venkitachalam
Social
Activist & Campaigner for animal rights.
The
organizers of festivals and Poorams commit a fraud by
misrepresenting display license as explosion
license.
There
is no permission ever given for Vedikkettu. Display does not
mean Vedikkettu. 273
people died in Kerala since 1973 in Vedikkettu accidents. Those
who were responsible for the Vedikkettu accident at Padookkad, near
Thrissur in May 2006 are to be identified. They should be personally
held liable and amount of Rs 38 lakhs should be fined on them and it
shall not be given from the Government treasury.
Shri.
Sasi Vennoore
Worker
in explosives, relative of the dead in Padookkad accident.
Has
been engaged in manufacturing crackers and explosives for last 20
years. No
body in past 50-60 years has paid any heed to conduct Vedikkettu
with less risk, paying attention to safety and security. The
employees should be trained and screened properly. Only
those who qualified in the strictly prescribed training process and
skill tests should be allowed to work in the manufacturing crackers.
Professor
K.R. Janardhanan
Expert
in Chemical substances
The
mixing of substances for Vedikkettu is highly a skilled work that
needs expertise and absolute care. The
permission is given only to Pyro-techniques, not for explosion.
There
are strict and stringent rules in handling the chemicals, but often
violated rampantly. There
shall not be more than three workers in a shed. They
should not wear nylon, terrene cloth materials. There
is strict ban on use of potassium chlorate, no body is ever allowed
to use it. The
more intense is the packing, the scale of accident is stronger and
larger. There
are people who unlawfully use even titanium that is a big crime,
indeed. There
is more likelihood of an accident if the mixing doesn’t take place
in the right sense. It
is possible to conduct Fire Work Display at less cost, at less risk
and with profound aesthetic values.
During the general discussion, there were
participants from the floor who other than the afore mentioned
points, shared that manufacture of crackers invites large scale
child labour. The Pooram and all festivals should be simplified and
less expensive. It shall not be a show of pomp and glory and the extravaganza should be
omitted forth with.
Shri.
M.P. Surendran moderated the debate.
He concluded the programme with a hope that this debate would give
cause for the emergence to many more discussions and deliberations
in the State and than would eventually bring changes in the society.
Advocate George
Pulikuthiyil, Executive
Director of Jananeethi welcomed the audience and Advocate Sojan Job
proposed vote of thanks.
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