Ludhiana: Accusations of a “sink-or-swim” approach to pilgrim safety have prompted calls for the Prime Minister to intervene, as Ludhiana demands justice for a boat tragedy many believe was scripted by bureaucratic indifference in Mathura.Grieving families of 15 pilgrims also call for a high-level high court inquiry as the “sacred journey” to Vrindavan exposes a lethal lack of administrative duty, “gross negligence” for failing to enforce basic safety standards at one of India’s most popular pilgrimage sites. As the death toll was confirmed to include 12 residents from Ludhiana, local political voices like Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora have joined the outcry, calling on the PM to intervene and ensure those responsible for the administrative failure are held to account.The survivors and the relatives of the deceased claim the tragedy extends far beyond the negligence of a single boatman. Anoop Bansal of Dugri, who lost both his wife, Meenu, and daughter, Dinki, in the capsize, has said the Mathura administration is primarily to blame for the lack of oversight. “It is responsible for making the required arrangements,” Bansal said. “Why was there no check on whether boatmen had life jackets? Why were pontoons left adrift in the river without restricting the area for boats? The officials must answer and face action.”His son, Nikhil, echoed the sentiment, calling for the strict enforcement of safety norms at all religious sites to prevent future loss of life. “We don’t want anyone else to suffer like us,” he said.Call for Judicial InterventionPunjab minister Sanjeev Arora, representing the Ludhiana West constituency in the assembly, has pledged to escalate the matter to the highest levels of govt. Following a visit to the bereaved families, Arora claimed he was making a formal request for an inquiry by a sitting or retired high court judge. “I am also writing to the PM, the Union home minister, and the Uttar Pradesh govt,” he said. “We want a high-level inquiry so that those responsible for this mishap can be taken to task.” Arora emphasised that with thousands of devotees visiting Vrindavan daily, the failure to ensure safety at the ghats (riverfront steps) constitutes a significant breach of public duty.‘We Will Not Forget’For the families left behind, the pain is compounded by the fear that the incident will be forgotten once the news cycle moves on. Rajat Kumar, whose younger brother Yuvraj was among the victims, said the loss has left an indelible mark on the community. “The govt may forget this after a few days, but we will not,” Rajat said. “The officials in charge of that area must be held accountable for failing the pilgrims.” The disaster has cast a shadow over Ludhiana, as the city begins the process of burying its dead while demanding answers from the authorities in UP.
