Vadodara, January 18, 2026
Exactly two years after the heart-wrenching Harani lake boat tragedy that claimed the lives of 12 innocent school children and 2 teachers, grieving families gathered once again in Vadodara to pay tribute — but the atmosphere was far from solemn remembrance. It was charged with deep pain, simmering anger, and open accusations against the highest levels of the Gujarat administration.
During the emotionally charged shraddhanjali sabha (memorial meeting) held to mark the second anniversary of the January 18, 2024 disaster, one family member’s explosive statement sent shockwaves through the gathering:
“The Chief Minister is scared that the victim families will kill him.”
This single sentence, delivered with raw anguish, captured the depth of betrayal and frustration felt by those who lost their children due to what many describe as criminal negligence and greed.
The tragedy occurred when a pleasure boat, officially certified to carry only 12 children, was overloaded with more than 36 students from New Sunrise School during a picnic. No proper life jackets were provided to all passengers, safety norms were blatantly violated, and basic rescue measures were absent when the boat capsized in the Harani-Motnath lake.
Two years later, the families’ central complaint remains unchanged and even more intense:
“The Gujarat government is completely barren (vaanjani) — it has delivered neither real justice nor genuine accountability.”
Despite the arrests of over 20 people in the immediate aftermath (including boat operators, staff of the contractor company Kotia Projects, and several Vadodara Municipal Corporation officials), the families allege that:
- The real decision-makers and higher officials who sanctioned and overlooked the violations remain untouched
- Compensation amounts, even after High Court directions, are considered grossly inadequate
- The investigation has lost momentum and serious criminal conspiracy charges have not been pursued aggressively
- No systemic changes have been visibly implemented across Gujarat’s lakes and water tourism spots to prevent recurrence
Several parents and relatives spoke emotionally about the continuing nightmare — sleepless nights, unanswered questions, and the unbearable sight of empty chairs at home where children once sat.
The Gujarat High Court had earlier taken strong suo moto cognizance, severely criticized multiple government reports as “fairy tales”, and pulled up the administration repeatedly. Yet for the families, court observations and increased compensation figures have failed to translate into the justice they seek most: complete accountability of everyone who contributed to turning a joyful school picnic into a mass tragedy.
Today’s gathering was not just about remembering the 14 departed souls — it was a loud, collective cry that two full years of waiting have only deepened the wound. The families made it clear: they will continue their fight until they receive the answer to one fundamental question that still haunts every parent present:
How many more children must die before those in power start treating safety as a serious responsibility instead of an inconvenience?
