The anniversary function held on Tuesday remained a low-key affair as no parties, no major social organisation and not many leaders were interested to join the community members assembled since morning at Morris College memorial to pay homage to ``Gowari martyrs''. The scene at anniversary meet held at Kasturchand Park was no different. Agriculture Minister Ranjit Deshmukh, Minister of State for Education Anil Deshmukh and Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar did show up at the meet and even spoke briefly from a makeshift dais sans the public address system.

In fact, they did not think it fit to use their resources to make proper arrangements at the anniversary meet.

There was a steady stream of people from the Gowari community coming from different parts of the eastern Vidarbha, at the memorial. After paying tributes, they went to the nearby Kasturchand Park, hoping that a public function would be held to pay homage to the martyrs. They found a many policemen diverting traffic. But there was no responsible leader present at the sprawling ground till noon to tell them whether the meet would be held at all.

Congress leaders blamed the district administration for ignoring their directives for making arrangements at the venue. They promptly assured that they would take up the issue of providing reservations to the Gowaris. While Muttemwar assured that the matter would be raised in the Lok Sabha, Deshmukh said a meeting of officials and ministers would be convened to take up the issue. Gowari leader Sudhakar Gajbe, Mana leader and former minister Dr Ramesh Gajbe and Municipal Commissioner Suresh Yadwadkar were also present.

The Congress leaders were apologetic. They were not sure whether the Gowaris would accept them as guests or whether they still hold their party responsible for the stampede. Their party lost badly in the State Assembly election held a few months after the tragic incident.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were quick to take advantage of the situation five years ago. They were at the forefront, making elaborate arrangements at anniversary functions. But the party seems to have lost interest in Gowari affair after being voted out.