On Tuesday, following a satsang conducted by Narayan Sakar Vishv Hari (Bholay Baba) in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, a horrific stampede occurred, claiming the lives of 130 individuals, including a significant number of women. Over a hundred people were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Devotees from Hathras, Eta, Kasganj, as well as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, attended the event, with an estimated crowd of 100,000 people. However, the lack of adequate safety measures for the massive gathering might have contributed to the tragedy. The shortage of drinking water and food aggravated the situation, leading to panic and a desperate rush for safety.
In response to this tragic incident, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court. The Uttar Pradesh government is taking the incident very seriously and has vowed to take strict action against those responsible. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Hathras to meet with the affected families and injured individuals. He had previously announced a compensation package for the families of the deceased and instructed the administration to provide free medical care for the injured.
Nation Mourns
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deep sorrow over the incident on social media, highlighting the heartbreaking news of women and children among the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the incident as extremely tragic and assured that rescue operations are ongoing and necessary medical care is being provided.
A Mother’s Loss
Guddo Devi from Kasganj attended the satsang with her 20-year-old daughter Priyanka. After the event, as the crowd moved, they got caught in the stampede. Priyanka was injured while trying to retrieve her slippers and later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. Pooja, another attendee, witnessed the chaos and the heartbreaking scenes of the stampede.
Ensuring Safety for Upcoming Festivals
With the annual Rath Yatra approaching, which draws over a million devotees each year, the government, administration, and temple authorities are now on high alert. The Rath Yatra has traditionally concluded safely with divine blessings, and everyone hopes that this year’s procession will also proceed smoothly.