Vivek Agnihotri calls for accountability after Diwali rocket sparks fire at home

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has raised concerns over fire safety during Diwali after an errant rocket hit his balcony sofa, causing it to catch fire. He said his dogs alerted the family in time, helping them avoid a potentially serious accident. The Kashmir Files director also called for accountability.

Agnihotri shared the incident in a post on X, tagging Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. He was responding to the mayor’s appeal to citizens to celebrate a safe Diwali and follow the Bombay High Court’s guidelines on bursting firecrackers.

“Last night, our balcony sofa caught fire after being hit by an errant rocket. Thankfully, our dogs alerted us in time, and the fire-resistant fabric helped prevent a potentially serious accident,” he wrote.

The filmmaker added that the family had always feared such an incident could happen. While they were fortunate this time, he questioned what could happen to others facing similar



situations.

“Who doesn’t love celebrating Diwali? But errant rockets are not a cultural pride, they are a fire hazard. Our great culture doesn’t permit us to put innocent lives, homes and property at risk,” he said.

Agnihotri also called for stricter enforcement of fire-safety rules and accountability from the authorities. He said the mayor’s appeal, though welcome, would have little impact without proper implementation.

He urged the authorities to investigate fire incidents across Mumbai and fix responsibility wherever negligence or failure to enforce the law was established. He also argued that accountability should extend beyond people bursting firecrackers to those responsible for public awareness, enforcement of court orders and fire safety.

The filmmaker ended his post by quoting a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, which highlights how people in positions of responsibility set an example that others follow.