Dabwali fire tragedy: Trust demands ‘Fire Safety Day’ across country, awareness initiatives

On December 23, 1995, a devastating fire at Rajiv Marriage Palace in Dabwali, Haryana, turned a joyous school function into nightmare.

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The fire broke out during the DAV Public School's annual event, claiming 442 lives and leaving hundreds permanently disabled. Among the deceased were 222 children, 150 women, 44 men and 26 toddlers.

The tragedy shocked not just Dabwali but the entire nation, exposing the deadly consequences of ignoring fire safety norms. Hospitals were overwhelmed, with neither having enough beds nor medical staff to treat the severely burnt victims. Even finding burial and cremation spaces became a challenge, highlighting the scale of the disaster.

Despite the horror, the affected families had to endure long legal battles for compensation and support. Many survivors, scarred physically and emotionally, received little meaningful aid. Organisations like the Dabwali Fire Victims Memorial Trust have been fighting for justice and support for these families.

Ramesh Kumar, Trust president, said marking the 29th anniversary of the tragedy, the Trust had placed a few demands before the government. The Trust has proposed observing December 23 as "Fire Safety Day" across India. This initiative aims to spread awareness about fire safety and prevent similar disasters, he said.

The Trust has also urged the government to set up an educational centre at the memorial site to teach fire safety, first aid and disaster management to children and youth. Such a centre could become a beacon of change, educating society about the importance of fire safety measures.

The Trust has called for instituting an annual state-level "Safety Award" on December 23 to recognise individuals and organisations contributing to fire safety. This award would inspire responsibility and encourage proactive measures across the state.

Iqbal Singh Shant, executive member of the Trust, said to commemorate the victims, various events would take place, including a multi-faith prayer meeting and a blood donation camp organised by local NGOs. The Arya Samaj will hold a Vedic havan and satsang in the evening to honour the departed souls.