BJP corporator from Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), Ashish Joshi, has vowed that he will not visit Ayodhya Temple unless all the accused in the Harni boat tragedy are brought to justice.
Joshi, who represents Ward number 15, the locality where the New Sunrise School is situated and most of the victims resided, expressed his grief and moral responsibility for the mishap, according to a report published in The Indian Express. Holding the VMC officials accountable, Joshi demanded penal action against those responsible for inspecting and supervising the boating facility.
The first-time corporator emphasized that officials neglecting their duty, specifically in checking the fitness certificate of the boats and ensuring safety measures, should face suspension and legal consequences. Drawing a parallel with a previous incident, he highlighted the importance of holding officials accountable, referring to the Morbi bridge collapse.
Joshi shared his moral guilt when tasked with collecting Aadhar card numbers and bank account details of the deceased for compensation. He underscored the families' profound grief, stating that no compensation could fill the void left by the loss of innocent children.
Joshi disclosed his decision to defer his visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, citing the historical ties of the boatmen’s community to the region. He invoked Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III's role in settling the boatmen’s community in the erstwhile Baroda state and expressed disappointment over the failure to provide a safe boat for the city's children.
The BJP corporator asserted that justice for the victims transcends party allegiance and vowed to make vigorous representations within the party to hold accountable the officials involved in the tragedy. He declared his willingness to stand with the grieving families, even if it meant facing consequences within the party.