Performing stunts on Ram Navami proved costly: Young man burnt in flames, accident in Pune exposed the security loophole

Pune, 7 April 2025: While the festival of Ram Navami was celebrated with great pomp across the country, a tragic incident in Pune district of Maharashtra turned the joy of the festival into mourning. During the procession in Talegaon Dabhade on Sunday, a young man performing a fire stunt himself got caught in the flames. His face, beard, neck and chest were badly burnt in this accident. This incident not only turned out to be a personal tragedy, but is also highlighting the ignorance of safety standards in religious events.
Tragedy started with stunt
According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened when 28-year-old Vinay Patil was performing a fire stunt in the procession. Vinay is part of a group called ‘Cast Crew’ in the area and often entertains people with his stunts in religious events. On Sunday too, he was performing a fire trick by filling his mouth with oil in front of the crowd. But as soon as he lit the torch, a spark went out of control and fell on his face. His beard and hair caught fire in no time, and in a few moments the flames spread to his face and chest.
Sanjay Jadhav, a local resident present in the procession, said, “Hundreds of people had gathered to see Vinay’s performance. Everything was going well, but suddenly a spark came out and a fire broke out. People started screaming. Some people immediately put a blanket and extinguished the fire, otherwise the damage could have been bigger.” After the incident, Vinay was taken to Talegaon General Hospital, from where he was referred to a big hospital in Pune for better treatment.
Critical condition, but hope still remains
The doctors of the hospital said that Vinay’s face, neck and chest part have been badly burnt. After first aid, his condition is said to be stable, but due to the serious injuries, he has been kept under the observation of experts. A doctor, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Recovery will take time considering the depth of the burns and the affected area. Plastic surgery may also be needed, but he is out of danger right now.”
Lack of safety measures increased the crisis
This accident has raised serious questions on the preparations of the organizing committee. The investigation revealed that neither any safety equipment was present for the fire stunts in the procession nor was any fire brigade arrangement made. The absence of trained firefighters made the situation more risky. Prakash Patil, senior inspector of Talegaon police station, said, “We are questioning the organizers. If it is found that safety standards have been ignored, strict action will be taken against them.” The police have registered a case under sections of causing serious injury by negligence.
Anger and concern among the people
Local people say that negligence in such events is nothing new. Another resident, Ranjana Pawar, said in anger, “Thousands of people come to the procession every year, but there are no security arrangements. If there were fire brigades or trained people, Vinay might not have suffered so much.” After this incident, the organizing committee is also being criticized on social media, where people are calling it ‘gross negligence of responsibility’.
Need to learn a lesson
This accident is a bitter reminder of how expensive it can be to ignore safety in the spirit of celebration. Acrobatics and performances are common in religious events, but proper training and security arrangements are necessary for them. Experts say that on such occasions, the organizers should assess the risk beforehand and be prepared for emergencies.
Amidst the hope of improvement in Vinay’s condition, the question remains whether this incident will become a lesson for the future? Now everyone’s eyes are on the police investigation and the action of the local administration. But the biggest question is whether accountability will be fixed for those responsible, or will this accident also be forgotten with time?