Stampede at Bhole Baba’s Satsang in Hathras Kills Over 100
A catastrophic stampede occurred at a religious congregation in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, leading to the deaths of over 100 people and injuring many more. The tragedy unfolded during a satsang organized by the self-styled godman Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakaar Hari, in Pulrai village on Tuesday evening.
The event, which had received temporary permission from local authorities, was attended by thousands of devotees. Most of the victims were women and children who had come from nearby villages to participate in the satsang.
Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede began as the satsang concluded and the crowd surged towards the narrow exits. Some attendees felt suffocated due to the hot and humid weather, leading to panic and a rush to leave the enclosed area.
Jyoti, a teenager who survived the stampede, described the chaos: “Everyone wanted to get out quickly. There was no other way out and people fell on each other, causing the stampede.”
The panic was exacerbated when motorcycles parked outside blocked the escape routes, leading to further casualties.
According to initial reports, the stampede started soon after the satsang ended, as people tried to exit the small hall with inadequate exit points.
Some accounts suggest that one of the exits was closed to allow the cavalcade of Bhole Baba, increasing pressure on the remaining exit. This contributed significantly to the chaos and eventual stampede.
District Magistrate Ashish Kumar and Chief Medical Officer Umesh Kumar Tripathi confirmed that at least 50-60 bodies, including 25 women and three children, had been received at the Etah district hospital for autopsy. Many injured were admitted to local hospitals, and their conditions remain critical.
A high-level committee, led by ADG Agra and Commissioner Aligarh, has been formed to investigate the cause of the stampede.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep condolences and announced ex gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. He directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and expedite relief efforts at the site.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the incident in the Lok Sabha, expressing his condolences and promising all possible support to the victims’ families. He emphasized the importance of investigating the incident thoroughly to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Bhole Baba, who has millions of followers across India, hails from Bahadur village in Etah district. He reportedly left his job at the Intelligence Bureau 26 years ago to deliver religious sermons.
Despite avoiding social media, Bhole Baba has a significant grassroots influence, with large gatherings regularly organized for his sermons. His followers claim that his teachings and congregations provide spiritual solace and communal support.
His programs are organized every Tuesday in Aligarh, drawing thousands of attendees. Volunteers ensure arrangements for food and drinks for the devotees. Bhole Baba’s gatherings have continued to attract large crowds even during times of restrictions, highlighting his widespread appeal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior officials expressed their condolences. “The incident in Hathras is extremely painful. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Singh stated.
The local administration, under the supervision of senior state officials, is providing all possible help to the victims and their families.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed senior officials, including Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh, to rush to the incident site.
He also instructed the Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police Prashant Kumar to oversee the relief efforts and ensure thorough investigation into the causes of the stampede.
The primary focus now is on understanding the precise circumstances that led to the stampede. Initial reports suggest overcrowding and insufficient exit routes were significant factors.
Eyewitness accounts and statements from survivors indicate that mismanagement and inadequate safety measures played crucial roles.
The high-level committee’s findings will be crucial in preventing such tragedies in the future. Authorities have vowed stringent action against the organizers if any lapses in safety protocols are found.
The government is also considering revising the protocols for granting permissions for large gatherings, ensuring that organizers comply with strict safety standards to avoid similar incidents. The role of local authorities in granting permission for such events is under scrutiny, with potential changes to the oversight and approval process.