Firecracker explosion in Morena left 6 dead last Diwali:Families recall the festival as ‘darkest day’; govt compensation fails to cover losses

On October 20, 2024, the lives of Jameel Khan and his family were shattered when a firecracker explosion destroyed their rented house in Islampura, Morena. Jameel lost his wife Anju Begum and his 17-year-old daughter Sahiba Khan in the blast. Only his two sons, Arbaz and Aryan, survived. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Jameel recalled the horrific morning: I had gone to buy vegetables, and my sons had left for school. Around 9 AM, the explosion occurred, and the house collapsed completely. I tried removing debris, hoping to find my wife and daughter alive, but it was too late. Jameel, a laborer who runs a pizza cart to support his family, now lives with his two sons in a tiny rented room, barely larger than a kitchen. The small space includes a ceiling fan and bedding on the floor for all three to sleep, with a corner improvised as a kitchen. Household belongings and their bike were lost in the blast, but Jameel says his primary concern is raising his sons and giving them a future. ‘I feed the children, get them ready for school, prepare meals, and then go for labor work,’ he says. Despite the trauma, he continues to provide both parental roles for Arbaz, now in 9th grade, and Aryan, in 6th grade. Arbaz admits the loss of his mother and sister is felt constantly and that he tries to help his father around the house while coping with the emotional void. 4 dead in second blast in Rathore colony A little over a month later, on November 26, a second blast occurred approximately 300 meters away in Rathore Colony. This explosion destroyed Akash Rathore’s house and severely damaged nearby homes, including that of Suraj Rathore. Ten people were trapped under the debris, and four died: Suraj’s wife Pooja Rathore, Vidya Rathore, Baijanti Kushwah, and Vimlesh Kushwah. One-year-old Shubhanshu, Pooja’s son, was rescued alive, while nine other family members were seriously injured and had to be referred to Gwalior for treatment. Suraj Rathore now lives in his ancestral village with his parents, as his house in Morena remains in ruins. Behind the old tin shed in their courtyard, Suraj and his family cope with the loss and the challenges of rebuilding. He said, Last Diwali brought darkness into my life. My wife died, and many family members were injured. My son had barely started recognizing his mother when she was killed. The explosion not only destroyed homes but left lasting psychological scars. Suraj recounts the aftermath of the blast: Nothing was left in the house. Tenants in neighboring house, including Saddam Hussain landlord Akash Rathore, had stored firecrackers and explosives. They are responsible for the tragedy, yet the place still lies in ruins. We have no money to rebuild. Removing the debris alone will cost ₹5 lakh. Families struggle to survive amid loss For Jameel Khan and Suraj Rathore, life has not returned to normal. Jameel manages to support his two sons while coping with the trauma of losing his wife and daughter. Suraj, meanwhile, has to live with his parents and relies on his mother to care for his surviving son. Suraj’s mother, Ramkali Rathore, said, Pooja was gentle and caring. The blast destroyed my son’s life and ruined my old age. Now I am raising my grandson. I have grown old; how much longer will I live? Dalchandra Kushwah, the husband of Vimlesh Kushwah, also lost his wife in the Rathore Colony blast. He now raises their children alone. Similarly, the families of Baijanti and Vidya Rathore had to move away to Gwalior, still struggling with grief and financial difficulties. Victims say, ‘Financial aid is insufficient’ Despite the immense losses, victims have received very limited compensation. Families were awarded only two lakh rupees, while the cost of rebuilding homes and replacing lost belongings ranges between ₹20 to 30 lakh. Jameel and Suraj both highlighted that the compensation provided is grossly inadequate to cover the destruction caused by the explosions. SDM Bhupendra Singh Kushwah explained that under Madhya Pradesh government rules, compensation for two deceased members from the same family is reduced to two lakh per family. However, in the second blast, the deceased did not belong to the same family or father, yet compensation was still delayed or insufficient. The SDM added that while compensation has been provided to some, he would investigate why certain families did not receive their dues. Government promises vs. reality Following the blasts, Revenue Minister Karan Singh Verma and MP Shivmangal Singh Tomar visited the site and announced financial assistance, including compensation for household damages. However, victims say that promises made by politicians and officials were largely forgotten over time, leaving them to bear the consequences alone. Suraj Rathore added, The government made promises immediately after the accident, but no one followed through. Those who lost family members are still suffering and rebuilding alone. Even when arrests were made in the Rathore Colony case, the accused were later released, adding to the sense of injustice among the victims. Suraj also stated that pressure was applied to compromise his statement, but he insists on giving his testimony to ensure accountability. Emotional and financial trauma remain The impact of the explosions extends beyond physical destruction. Jameel Khan now juggles the dual role of mother and father while living in a cramped room. Suraj Rathore’s young son, Shubhanshu, has grown up without a mother, and Suraj’s elderly parents shoulder the responsibility of their grandson. Every family recounts similar struggles: living in temporary or ruined structures, coping with emotional trauma, and bearing financial burdens far greater than the compensation received. While authorities claim some victims have been compensated, the families stress that rebuilding lives requires more than interim support. They argue that government assistance must match the actual losses incurred, including reconstruction of houses and replacement of essential household goods. A year after the blasts, the affected families continue to live in the shadow of the tragedy. Jameel Khan focuses on educating his sons and providing stability, while Suraj Rathore and his parents attempt to protect and nurture their surviving child amid the ruins of their former home. For both families, Diwali is no longer a festival of lights but a stark reminder of loss and injustice. ​