Now, that the dust is beginning to settle a little on one of the saddest chapters of our recent history; that many families have started walking in the long and interminable tunnel of grief, loss and despondency; that the whole nation has managed to fight back its tears, try to overcome its sorrow, let’s take a hard look at what happened. Let’s do it for the sake of not living another day like the one we lived on 3rd March in Arsenal.

Many of us were quick to blame the youth who perished; to talk about their ego and reflect on what Mahashivratree used to be and what it has turned into.

There is no denial that a once serene and safe pilgrimage to the sacred Ganga Talao has turned into a loud and showy carnival, reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro. I do not personally agree with making a conspicuous show of one’s religion – any religion – and I have expressed that many times. However, part of me believes that spirituality cannot be completely devoid of some element of joy, community and sociability. And I have frequently secretly admired the creativity, talent and resolve of the youth who made some of the most majestic Kanwars obstructing our roads.

The youths who have lost their lives in the tragic event at Arsenal spent months creating a masterpiece that attracted the awe and admiration of everyone who saw it. To achieve that, they put their savings and heads together, spent days and nights with their friends and neighbours sharing humble talk and meals and looking forward to the day they could display their creation to the whole country. In a country with few affordable distractions and hobbies, who can blame them? Who can’t appreciate the fact that during all those months, they stayed out of trouble as their hands and minds were busy doing something meaningful that mattered to them.

When they set out on that fateful journey, they weren’t breaking any laws. No one told them they were. The tragedy needn’t have happened. It wouldn’t have happened if the kanwar was slightly lower; if they had been given guidance; if there was anyone looking out for them.

Every year, a Task Force for Mahashivratree meets. One of its main tasks is presumably to ensure the safety of every pilgrim. For the last few years, that Task Force – like every committee set up these days in this country – has been chaired by the prime minister. Having been endowed with Godlike qualities, such as omniscience and omnipresence, he must be conducting the affairs of all the committees skilfully, like the superhuman his supporters have elevated him to. No one’s life should, therefore, have been put at risk. This Task Force knew – or should have known – the danger faced by pilgrims, particularly after the death of two young pilgrims in similar circumstances at exactly the same time last year.

So what has the prime minister’s Task Force exactly done since it was set up and in fact even after last year’s tragedy? Alright, some lax guidelines were loosely whispered here and there of the maximum size which the kanwars should be. Did you hear a campaign cautioning the youth of the dangers of oversized kanwars and firmly warning that excesses wouldn’t be tolerated for the sake of everyone’s safety? Were any reminders issued of what happened last year? Were the police trained and instructed to look out for possible dangers and how to deal with pilgrims who do not observe “the guidelines”?

No, perish the thought! The Task Force must have been too busy preparing the best angle for the prime minister to appear on the MBC every evening this week, availing himself of large captive audiences to launch vile attacks against his opponents as he is wont to do at every opportunity! That must have been their priority. Not the safety of our youth.

My heart bleeds for those youths who are gone far too soon. My heart bleeds for their families who had so many hopes and aspirations for them. My heart bleeds for a country whose leaders have no other concern than staying in power at whatever cost.

A third edition of Touria Prayag’s book “Provisional Charges: The Untold Human Stories” and her second book: “#BLD: When Mauritius Lost its Bedside Manners” are now available at Librairie Le Cygne, Le Printemps and all the Bookcourt outlets.