safety
Who Is Responsible? Five Children Burnt in Bihar School’s Republic Day Tableau
Published: 27/01/26
Updated: 27/01/26
Republic Day is a day of pride for every Indian. It is a day when schools, children, teachers, and communities come together to celebrate the Constitution, freedom, and unity. Parades, cultural programmes, and tableaux are organised across the country, especially by schools.
But in the Nawada district of Bihar, this celebration turned into a nightmare.
During a Republic Day procession, a school tableau caught fire, leaving five children badly injured with burn wounds. What was meant to be a joyful memory became a moment of fear and lifelong trauma for children and their families.
This tragic incident has raised one very important question:
Who is responsible when children are hurt during school events?
What Exactly Happened?
On January 26, during the Republic Day celebrations in the Warisaliganj area of Nawada, a school had organised a decorated tableau as part of a local procession. Several schoolchildren were standing on or around the tableau, dressed in costumes and participating proudly in the event. Suddenly, the tableau caught fire.
The flames spread quickly, and five children suffered burn injuries. Panic followed. People nearby rushed to help as children screamed and tried to escape the fire. The families who were watching their children perform, got terrified and were moving haywire.
One child suffered serious burn injuries and had to be shifted to VIMS Hospital, Pawapuri, for advanced treatment. The other injured children were taken to the Warisaliganj Community Health Centre.
Thankfully, no life was lost but the physical and emotional scars may remain for a long time.
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How Did the Fire Start?
According to early reports and local accounts, the fire may have been caused by the use of flammable material, possibly petrol or another fuel, as part of the tableau decoration or performance.
This has shocked many parents and citizens and raised a big concern - Why was any flammable substance used in a school event where children were present?
Events involving children require extra care, strict safety rules, and zero risk-taking. Even a small mistake can lead to serious injury, as seen in this case.
Families Allege Negligence by the School
After the incident, families of the injured children openly accused the school of negligence. Their anger and pain are understandable.
Families claim there was no proper safety check before the tableau was allowed to participate. No fire safety equipment, no emergency plan, and no trained staff were seen handling risky materials.
One of the strongest allegations is that the school failed to arrange immediate transport for the injured children. According to parents, local residents had to step in and rush the children to the hospital.
When children are injured, every minute matters. Any delay can make injuries worse.
Parents also said that there were not enough responsible adults supervising the children during the event, especially when the tableau involved risky elements.
These allegations have led families to demand a proper investigation and strict action against those responsible. Families have demanded the CCTV footage from the area to be checked.
Why School Events Must Be Extra Safe
Schools are trusted spaces. Parents send their children believing they will be safe, not just in classrooms, but also during outdoor activities, celebrations, and public events.
A Republic Day tableau does not need fire, fuel, or danger to look impressive. Creativity should never come at the cost of a child’s life.
Emotional Impact on Children and Families
Beyond physical injuries, such incidents leave a deep emotional impact.
Children who were excited to perform may now associate fear with public events. These are not just accidents, they are life-altering moments.
As investigations continue, there is a hope that no child ever has to suffer like this again, especially during a celebration meant to honour the nation.
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