Abhilash Thapliyal, widely recognized for his role in the TVF show ‘Aspirants,’ has expressed his profound sorrow over the tragic deaths of three civil service aspirants. The devastating incident occurred on July 28 in Delhi when the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where the students were preparing for their UPSC exams, was flooded during heavy rains. This catastrophe led to the failure of the single biometric entry and exit point, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of the students.
Flooding is not an uncommon phenomenon during Delhi’s monsoon season, but this tragic event has shone a light on the severe repercussions of negligence and illegal use of infrastructure. Students have since been vocal in their protests against the basements’ unlawful operations, which, according to many, directly contributed to the fatalities. Among those sharing their thoughts on the disaster was Thapliyal, who had spent a significant amount of time in the area during the filming of ‘Aspirants.’
In ‘Aspirants,’ Abhilash portrayed SK Jha, an immensely endearing character whose journey mirrors the real struggles of UPSC aspirants. In an interview with mid-day.com, Thapliyal shared, “I owe the success of my character SK sir to all the UPSC aspirants and it is tragic and unfortunate that what has happened in Rajinder Nagar. But what is even more sad is the way the issue has been politicized and I think politics has stooped down to another level today.”
Thapliyal touched on a broader issue that goes beyond the recent tragedy, noting the ubiquity of man-made disasters. He stated, “Tragedy, specially man-made ones, comes in all shapes and sizes. It is not restricted to any particular department, government, state, or location. Just recently, we had the hoarding crash in Mumbai where so many innocent lives were lost.” His comments underscore the pressing need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and accountability.
Reflecting on his time filming in Old Rajinder Nagar, Thapliyal observed the extreme population density and the cramped living conditions in the area.
. “While filming in Old Rajinder Nagar, I realised that there is a high population density cramped in very small places. I am not sure how many of these places have all the required licenses and NOCs,” he noted. He further expressed hope that the recent incident would serve as a wake-up call for both authorities and those running these establishments to ensure all safety measures are rigorously implemented.
Thapliyal also drew parallels between his own student life and the current predicament of the aspirants affected by the tragedy. “I was lucky to be at home with my family when I was studying. When you are at home, your problems are not your own and you have the support of the entire family. My heart goes out to these aspirants who are staying so far away from home, managing everything on their own,” he shared. His reflections highlighted the added challenges faced by students who are away from their families during critical periods of their academic journey.
He added his voice to the call for better community support among the student population, suggesting that these aspirants should create support groups within their communities to help each other through the rigorous UPSC journey. “I hope the students create support groups within their community and are there for each other in this UPSC journey,” Thapliyal encouraged.
The deaths of these three young aspirants have sparked widespread outrage and have brought to the forefront the systemic problems existing within educational infrastructure in densely populated areas. The tragedy has spurred immediate action from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), with officials reporting that measures are being taken against establishments illegally using basements in the area.
This unfortunate event underscores the urgent need for regulatory bodies to enforce safety standards more stringently and for the community to come together to support one another. The loss of these young lives has resonated deeply not just within the student community but also among public figures like Thapliyal, who hope that such a tragedy will lead to meaningful changes.
As investigations and reforms progress, the focus remains on ensuring a safe environment for future aspirants, so that their journey, filled with aspirations and dreams, remains unmarred by preventable disasters. The legacy of SK Jha, as portrayed by Thapliyal, continues to inspire, reminding us all of the resilience and perseverance required to overcome such challenges.
