#BreakingNews: Victory Procession at Khandoba Temple Marred by Sudden Fire, 16 Injured

A joyous victory procession for newly elected councillors in Maharashtra's Pune district turned tragic on December 21, 2025, when turmeric powder offerings caught fire near the steps of the historic Khandoba temple in Jejuri. At least 16 individuals sustained burn injuries, including two newly elected corporators from the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Swarupa Jalandar Khomne and Monika Rahul Ghadge, along with Ghadge's husband Rahul and several party supporters. The incident occurred during a traditional ritual to seek blessings from Lord Khanderaya, also known as Khandoba, following the declaration of local body election results in the Jejuri Municipal Council.

The mishap unfolded as enthusiastic supporters gathered on the temple steps to perform the customary 'bhandara' offering, showering turmeric powder mixed with other substances while lighting diyas with camphor and bursting firecrackers as part of the 'aukshan' felicitation. Police reports indicate that the fire ignited rapidly when scattered powder came into contact with open flames from the lamps or camphor, creating a sudden flare-up amid the crowded celebrations. Witnesses described a momentary but intense burst of flames, leading to panic as people scrambled to escape the yellow cloud turned hazardous.

Injured victims, whose burns ranged from minor to severe, were immediately rushed to local hospitals, with critically affected individuals transferred to specialized facilities in Pune for advanced treatment. Authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control swiftly, with no fatalities reported and all patients in stable condition. An ongoing police investigation is examining the precise sequence of events, including potential contributions from nearby firecrackers and the composition of the bhandara powder used.

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Allegations of adulteration surfaced prominently, with temple trustee Dr. Khedekar attributing the fire's intensity to highly inflammable substances mixed into the turmeric. Baramati MP Supriya Sule, from the rival NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction, condemned the incident as deeply unfortunate and tragic, stating she had obtained detailed information and remained in close contact with the administration for support and updates. Police, however, noted it was premature to confirm claims of tampering.

The accident cast a shadow over the resounding success of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Pune's local body polls, where it achieved a complete sweep by capturing all 17 president posts in municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP proved the strongest partner, securing 10 positions, followed by Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena with four and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with three. In Jejuri specifically, the NCP dominated by winning 17 of 20 seats, underscoring robust voter support for the coalition's development agenda across Maharashtra's 288 local bodies.

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