Heatstroke deaths raise political temperatures in Maharashtra | India News

At least 11 people died from dehydration and heatstroke, and several others were hospitalised after attending the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony, attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at a ground near Mumbai on a blazing Sunday.
CM Eknath Shinde’s office confirmed 11 deaths while officials pegged the unconfirmed toll at 13. Eight of the dead are women, mostly elderly.

The event

At the function, held in Kharghar area in Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai, Shah conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan award to spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and presented him a shawl, a citation and memento and a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, besides a 10-feet garland of roses.

Who is Dharmadhikari?

Dharmadhikari has a massive following in the state due to his tree plantation drives, blood donation and medical camps as well as de-addiction work in tribal areas.

Heat

The nearest weather station to the spot of the event recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.
The 306-acre ground, where the function was held, was packed with lakhs of people and equipped with audio/video facilities for followers of Shree Sadasya (Dharmadhikari’s organisation) to witness the function.

Political reactions

In the wee hours of Monday, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray blamed the Shinde government for the tragedy saying the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony was not properly planned.
Uddhav, his son Aaditya Thackeray and NCP leader Ajit Pawar visited the MGM Kamothe Hospital to see the victims undergoing treatment and their family members.

A compensation

Shinde announced Rs 5 lakh rupees to the next of kin of the deceased and said the entire medical expenses will be borne by the state government for those undergoing treatment.