Maharashtra heat-stroke deaths | As toll rises to 13, Opposition MVA spars with ruling Shinde-Fadnavis government

The heat stroke-related death toll of those who had attended the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai rose to 13 on April 17, 2023.

As the heat stroke-related death toll of those who had attended the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai rose to 13, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has accused the ruling the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP dispensation of negligence and demanded the government be booked for culpable homicide.

Thousands of people attended the event in the scorching sun where social activist Dattatreya Narayan alias Appasaheb Dharmadhikari was presented the Maharashtra Bhushan award by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the presence of CM Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries.

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The heat-related deaths have proved a major embarrassment for the Shinde-Fadnavis administration and Mr. Shah, who drew sharp criticism and stinging rebukes from the Opposition as well as the public for having made the public bear the brunt of the blazing sun while the VIPs ensconced in covered podiums remained safe from the heat.   

While more than a 100 were taken ill after Sunday’s event, 13 have died so far and 18 are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar, who visited the MGM Hospital at Kamothe in Navi Mumbai late Sunday night along with his MVA ally, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, termed the incident “most unfortunate”.

Both Mr. Pawar and Mr. Thackeray enquired about the health of the people undergoing treatment there after suffering from sunstroke.