The Nitish Kumar Govern-ment’s attempt to create history by forming an over 11,000 km long human chain failed as the exercise turned disastrous for many schoolchildren who stood for hours and over a dozen of them fainted.
Spread over east, west, north and south with men and women, old and young, schoolchildren in uniform and all participants in festive mood participated in its 45 minute exercise. The human chain, claimed to be longest in the world so far, had been formed to send a message of liquor-free society and arouse awareness about the prohibition promulgated in Bihar.
The reports reaching from different districts said that many schoolchildren, both boys and girls, fell unconscious during the human chain and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Such report came from Patna, Gopalganj, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur and Begusarai. One boy reportedly fell on the ground and died while being taken to hospital in Purnea but the officials quickly claimed that the deceased had some other illness. Trouble broke out in Vaishali district where two boys met with an accident and their relatives had to clash with the police for making way to carry them to hospital.
Only a day earlier the Patna High Court had sternly warned against the forcible participation of children in the human chain and the Chief Secretary had assured that schoolchildren would not be forced. However, it turned out that the school headmasters out of extra enthusiasm took the children where they had to stand for hours even though the exercise was only for 45 minutes.
Over 2 crore people across the State included Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD supremo lalu Prasad, all the Ministers and lawmakers, all the officials from top to bottom and common people. The leaders of ruling partners JD(U), RJD and Congress and main opposition party BJP took part in it. The sex workers of the red light area in Muzaffarpur also joined the chain but the eunuchs in Patna were not allowed entry in Gandhi Maidan.
The human chain spread over 11,292 km was photographed by five satellites, 38 drones and six helicopters. The team of ISRO was also here to document the historic event. Nitish and his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav released hundreds of colourful balloons at Gandhi Maidan.
Thanking the people for their support, Nitish said, “This has sent a positive message in support of prohibition not only across the country but across the world. The people have shown that a strong foundation for social change has been laid down in Bihar and I hope this unity will continue for other social causes.”
The BJP had extended its support to the human chain and its leaders, who were in Siwan on Saturday for their executive meeting, formed the human chain there. “We are joining it since we support prohibition,” said Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. Sushil Kumar Modi alleged that despite court’s directive the administration till last coerced people to join the human chain. Union Minister of State Giriraj Singh was the only BJP leader who stayed away from the human chain.