The death toll from the tragic stampede in Hathras has risen to 121, with 38 more people receiving treatment in hospitals. Some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. Families outside the hospital are grieving, and the atmosphere is somber.
The incident occurred during a satsang event conducted by Bhole Baba on Tuesday. The event was permitted for 80,000 attendees, but an overwhelming 2.5 lakh devotees showed up. As Bhole Baba concluded his discourse and was about to leave, devotees rushed forward to get his blessings, resulting in a devastating stampede.
Key Points:
Casualties: 121 dead, 38 injured.
Overcrowding: Event permitted for 80,000, attended by 2.5 lakh.
Cause of Stampede: Devotees rushing for blessings.
The police have registered an FIR against the satsang organizers and are extensively searching for Bhole Baba, who is now in hiding. Through his lawyer, Bhole Baba released a statement alleging that antisocial elements orchestrated the stampede. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation, claiming that the chaos ensued only after he left the venue. However, preliminary investigations suggest that Bhole Baba was present during the stampede, and his personal staff pushing the crowd contributed to the chaos.
Government Response:
Judicial Inquiry: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry into the incident, led by a retired High Court judge and police officials.
Accountability: CM Yogi stressed the need to identify those responsible and implement measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. He expressed anger over the loss of lives and vowed to ensure justice.
Legal Actions: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, highlighting the failure of central and state governments to learn from past stampede incidents and requesting stringent guidelines. Another plea for a CBI investigation has been submitted to the Allahabad High Court.
Public Reaction:
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and demands for accountability. Social media is flooded with condolences and calls for strict actions against those responsible.
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