Sheikhpura: Panic gripped Mahanandpur village in Sheikhpura district after more than 50 children fell ill following a religious Jagran program held on the occasion of Chhath Puja. The children reportedly suffered from severe eye irritation after being sprinkled with bhasm (ash) during the event and were rushed to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Sheikhopur Sarai.
According to local residents, the incident occurred late Wednesday night when artists performing on stage sprinkled ash among the audience as part of a tableau depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The ash allegedly entered the eyes of several children sitting in the front rows.
A few hours after the program ended around 5 a.m., the affected children began complaining of burning sensations and pain in their eyes. As word spread, parents rushed their children to the hospital with the help of ambulances.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar, the Medical Officer at Sheikhopur Sarai PHC, said that all the children are now out of danger. “The ash caused irritation and minor infections in their eyes, but their condition is stable. We have provided treatment and most of them are recovering well,” he said.
The children who were brought to the hospital are aged between 6 and 14 years. Among those affected are Anjani Kumari, Beauty, Simpy, Priya, Shivani, Rakhi, Shubhanjali, Kaushal, Golu, Chintu, Raja, Prem, Saksham, and Manish.
Prakash Yadav, a local resident and guardian of some of the children, said, “During the Shiva-Parvati tableau, the performer playing Shiva sprinkled ashes toward the audience. It landed directly in the eyes of the children sitting in front. A few hours later, their eyes started burning, and the situation became alarming.”
The incident has sparked concern among villagers about the safety measures at such religious events. Authorities are likely to review the circumstances that led to the accident.
