Hathras Stampede: With over 121 deaths, who is responsible?
The religious gathering took place on July 2, in the Pulrai village of Sikandra Rao area in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. It was organized by Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samiti as a huge Satsang of Baba Narayan Sakar Hari, alias Bhole Baba, which was held in an open field of 150 bighas.
Initial investigation states that after the Satsang ended, Bhole Baba (a self-styled godman) left the stage and went towards his car, leaving the tent. People ran after Baba for the dust on his feet and in order to touch his feet. The huge crowd made people fall into the pits one after another and keep getting buried, resulting in the deaths of many people, especially women and children. Eyewitnesses stated that many fainted during the stampede because of the humidity, heat, and narrow path.
The investigation says that permission for 80,000 people was granted to the committee, but the crowd in the Satsang was more than three times, and around 2.5 lakh people came to attend the Satsang of preacher Bhole Baba. It is also believed that only 40 policemen were present on the spot.
Over 121 people lost their lives due to the stampede, and more than 80 people were injured and admitted to hospitals. The investigation states that poor organization and a lack of preparedness resulted in the stampede.
According to the FIR filed, Baba has not been accused, but the organizer or sevadar, Devprakash Madhukar, has been mainly accused. Secondly, the other organizers and Sevadar have also been accused. It is also believed that the organizing committee has hidden the condition of a crowd of lakhs of people after the tragedy.
My thoughts are with those bereaved in Hathras. Prayers with the injured. The UP Government is working to assist those affected. pic.twitter.com/hAhD5xFD1M
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 2, 2024
PM Narendra Modi has expressed grief over this tragic incident in Lok Sabha. The state and central governments have announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs. 50 thousand for the injured.
UP’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Hathras on Wednesday to meet the families of victims. He also shared a tweet regarding the incident.
जनपद हाथरस की दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दुर्घटना में हुई जनहानि अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदय विदारक है।
मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिजनों के साथ हैं।
संबंधित अधिकारियों को राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों के युद्ध स्तर पर संचालन और घायलों के समुचित उपचार हेतु निर्देश दिए हैं।
उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार में मा.…
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 2, 2024
The organizer and sevakar of Bhole Baba’s satsang, Devprakash Madhukar, was arrested by the UP police in Delhi’s Najafgarh. He was the main accused, according to the FIR. Bhole Baba is still not caught in his hands, as he escaped just after the stampede took place.
Six officials, including the SDM, circle officer, tehsildar, station house officer, and two local police outpost in-charge officers, were suspended by the Uttar Pradesh government after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its report. The SIT has collected information from various statements of individuals, videography, photographs, and eyewitnesses. Other than the SIT, a judicial panel is also working on gathering information about the stampede tragedy, which is headed by the retired high court judge.
