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By:

Abhijit Joshi

31 August 2024 at 10:09:24 am

Sunetra Pawar’s Trial by Fire

The greatest challenge before Maharashtra’s first Deputy CM is not merely to govern, but to forge a political identity that is unmistakably her own. Politics often rewards the loudest voice. The modern political arena thrives on sharp sound bites, relentless television appearances and instant responses on social media. Yet, some leaders begin their journey not with thunder but with quiet resolve. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar finds herself at precisely such a moment. In...

Sunetra Pawar’s Trial by Fire

The greatest challenge before Maharashtra’s first Deputy CM is not merely to govern, but to forge a political identity that is unmistakably her own. Politics often rewards the loudest voice. The modern political arena thrives on sharp sound bites, relentless television appearances and instant responses on social media. Yet, some leaders begin their journey not with thunder but with quiet resolve. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar finds herself at precisely such a moment. In recent days, she has been drawn into an avoidable political controversy after the Maharashtra Congress dubbed her as “Gungi Gudiya” (“mute doll”) following a media interaction in which she chose not to answer journalists' questions. The remark quickly snowballed into a wider debate about the language used against women occupying high constitutional office. It also revived memories of the same epithet once directed at late Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi before she went on to become one of India’s most formidable political figures. Until recently, Sunetra Pawar remained largely outside the glare of frontline politics. She was better known in Baramati for her work in education, healthcare and social welfare than for fiery speeches or electoral campaigns. Her public image was that of a composed, private individual who preferred institution-building to political theatre. Political Limelight That changed in 2024 when she entered electoral politics, contesting the Lok Sabha election from Baramati against her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule. Though unsuccessful, she later entered Parliament through the Rajya Sabha, where she quietly focused on organisational responsibilities and social initiatives rather than cultivating a high-profile parliamentary persona. The defining moment came in January this year with the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, one of the state’s most experienced and influential political leaders. His passing created a political vacuum within the Nationalist Congress Party. At a moment of uncertainty, Sunetra Pawar stepped forward to shoulder responsibilities that few had imagined she would inherit so soon. Within days, she became Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister - a milestone in the state’s political history. But such transitions are rarely straightforward. Political parties often struggle when towering personalities disappear, and observers had predicted that the NCP might witness internal divisions. Maintaining organisational cohesion during a leadership transition is itself a considerable achievement, particularly in a state where political loyalties are often fluid and intensely personalised. However, much of the public conversation around Sunetra Pawar continues to be framed through comparisons with Ajit Pawar. The contrast is obvious. Ajit Pawar was known for his decisiveness, administrative grip and unmistakable public presence. Sunetra Pawar, by contrast, has generally remained soft-spoken, measured and reluctant to engage in unnecessary confrontation. Her supporters see restraint, dignity and maturity but critics see hesitation and insufficient public engagement. Neither assessment is entirely unfair. That is why the recent Beed incident acquired significance beyond a routine press interaction. When reporters sought her comments on law and order and she chose to leave without responding, the political vacuum was quickly filled by her opponents. The Congress’s “Gungi Gudiya” remark predictably provoked protests from the NCP and criticism from leaders across the ruling alliance, many of whom argued that such language diminished the dignity of a woman holding one of the state’s highest offices. Sunetra Pawar’s own response was notably restrained. She said she would offer a “fitting reply at the appropriate time.” The remark was consistent with the temperament she has displayed since entering public life. Leadership is ultimately judged not only by composure but also by visibility. Every major political figure eventually reaches a point where inherited legitimacy must give way to earned authority. Indira Gandhi had to step beyond Jawaharlal Nehru's towering legacy before she was recognised in her own right. Rajiv Gandhi, too, had to emerge from the shadow of Indira Gandhi while navigating extraordinary political circumstances. Their journeys were shaped by vastly different contexts, but they illustrate a universal truth: every successor must eventually become an original. Sunetra Pawar now confronts a similar, though far more modest, challenge. She must cease to be viewed primarily as “Ajit Pawar's wife” and come into her own. Distinct Identity That transformation cannot be achieved through symbolism alone. After all, lasting political stature is built through decisions, administrative outcomes and public confidence. To her credit, she has remained engaged with governance, regularly attending official programmes, reviewing development projects and interacting with citizens instead of chasing daily headlines. Yet the next stage of leadership demands something more. She will need to engage more confidently with the media, articulate her government's priorities in her own voice, and establish an administrative record that reflects independent judgement rather than inherited expectations. These are demanding tasks, but they are neither unusual nor unattainable. It is still too soon to measure Sunetra Pawar’s political legacy. She assumed responsibility at a moment when both her party and the state were adjusting to an unexpected transition, and has so far navigated that passage with composure. Yet political inheritance has a limited shelf life. While quietness, in itself, is neither a virtue nor a weakness, it acquires meaning only when it is accompanied by clarity and conviction. If Sunetra Pawar is to leave an enduring imprint on Maharashtra's politics, it will not be by echoing the style of Ajit Pawar or by answering every taunt from her opponents. It will be by developing a public voice that reflects her own instincts, her own priorities and, ultimately, her own leadership. (The writer is a political observer. Views personal.)

How Forensics Are Decoding Deadly Stampedes

The 1989 Hillsborough disaster in the UK marked the beginning of stampede forensics using video analysis and eyewitness accounts, an approach that has since evolved to include AI and 3D simulations.

Forensic investigation of stampedes is the scientific study of crowd dynamics, structural design, and human behaviour to uncover the causes behind deadly crowd surges. It combines analysis of video footage, physical evidence, and digital modelling to reconstruct events and identify what went wrong. Investigations delve into the movements of people, the failure of infrastructure, and gaps in planning and response systems. By decoding these patterns, forensic experts help ensure accountability and improve future safety.


The roots of a stampede investigation trace back to the mid-20th century, when researchers began studying crowd control more seriously following major tragedies. A turning point came after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in the UK, which claimed 96 lives at a football stadium, marking one of the first times forensic tools, like video analysis, architectural studies, and crowd behaviour reconstruction, was used comprehensively to determine the causes of such an event.


With modern technology, stampede investigation has evolved into a precise forensic discipline. Analysts today rely on tools like CCTV analytics, drone surveillance, crowd simulation software, and AI-powered behaviour recognition. These technologies provide real-time and post-incident data on how panic spreads and what triggers it.


The forensic teams were immediately called in for the recent stampede incident at a major railway station in India. Surveillance footage, mobile recordings, and eyewitness accounts were collected. Broken sandals, crushed bags, and twisted railings were documented as physical evidence. Using 3D modelling, investigators recreated the event to visualise the choke point—a narrow bridge overwhelmed by a sudden crowd surge. The simulation revealed a critical lack of crowd flow management and poor public announcements, which contributed to the panic.


Similar approaches were applied during the 2017 Elphinstone Bridge stampede in Mumbai, where investigators digitally reconstructed the chaos caused by sudden rainfall and overcrowding.


Their findings emphasised the importance of clear signage, unidirectional movement paths, and responsive emergency teams. Globally, such techniques were also used in the 2010 Love Parade in Germany and the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in the UK. In both cases, forensic crowd analysis identified poor design and delayed response as leading causes.


In India, temple festivals have also seen tragic stampedes. In the 2013 Ratangarh Temple incident, forensic investigators traced the deadly panic to a false rumour about a collapsing bridge. The crowd's behaviour, analysed through video evidence and on-ground debris patterns, showed a catastrophic failure in crowd control and emergency preparedness. Each of these investigations has contributed to a growing database of crowd behaviours under stress, which now feeds predictive AI tools.


Technology continues to transform forensic stampede investigations. AI systems can now monitor crowd density and movement in real-time, sounding alerts when thresholds are breached. Thermal cameras track body heat signatures to monitor crowd flow, while drones provide wide-area visuals of congested zones. Advanced software analyses human posture and movement patterns, helping identify signs of distress before a surge begins.


Investigations now influence legal action, with courts using forensic evidence to hold authorities accountable. Following the recent railway incident, the High Court directed the stopping of ticket overselling, improving public information systems, and filing a detailed safety audit. Similarly, after the 2013 Madhya Pradesh stampede, the Supreme Court mandated stricter crowd control.


Forensic investigation of stampedes, once limited to basic incident reviews, has now transformed into a robust and evolving science. From its early beginnings in stadiums and temples to its adoption of artificial intelligence and 3D simulations, the discipline has become a cornerstone of modern public safety planning. The use of these advanced tools allows investigators not just to explain what went wrong but to forecast where failures may occur and stop tragedies before they happen.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic advisor to the Assam Government. Bhowmik is a student of National Forensic University, Guwahati.)

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