Harni Victims Confront CM at Vadodara Event

Women Disrupted CM Bhupendra Patel’s Vadodara Event Over Harni Boat Tragedy, Later Granted Private Hearing

During a high-profile development event in Vadodara, two women affected by the Harni boat tragedy confronted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, creating a dramatic and unexpected pause in the proceedings. The Chief Minister was in the city to inaugurate development projects worth ₹1,156 crore and to review the Vishwamitri River project.

As Patel addressed the gathering, the two women abruptly stood up from the audience and began voicing their frustration over the lack of government response. “We have been running from pillar to post for the last one and a half years,” they said. “No one allows us to meet you.”

Initially, the Chief Minister did not directly acknowledge their outburst. Instead, he suggested to the audience that the women had “come with an agenda” and urged people not to pay attention to the disruption. He also remarked that he meets citizens regularly on Mondays, implying the proper channels were available.

As the women continued speaking, police personnel intervened and escorted them back to their seats, attempting to restore order. The unexpected protest left officials, security personnel, and attendees visibly surprised and raised concerns about how the women had gained entry to the event.

After concluding his speech, the Chief Minister reportedly agreed to a private meeting with the two women, during which he heard their grievances. Their removal from the venue before the meeting highlighted the tension and sensitivity surrounding the Harni boat tragedy, a case that continues to evoke public emotion and demands for justice.

 

Negligence Turns Fatal: Harni Lake Boat Tragedy Claims 14 Lives

The Harni Lake boat tragedy in Vadodara was a devastating incident that claimed the lives of 14 people, including schoolchildren and teachers, during a school outing in January 2024. The boat, reportedly overcrowded and lacking safety measures like life jackets, capsized mid-lake. Preliminary investigations pointed to negligence and serious lapses in safety protocols. The incident sparked public outrage and demands for stricter regulations on recreational boating and accountability from local authorities. It highlighted the urgent need for better enforcement of safety norms, especially during school excursions and at public tourist spots.