Tragedy Strikes: The Hathras Stampede and its Grim Aftermath

On July 2, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, leaving over a hundred lives lost, almost all of them women and several others injured. The incident occurred during a religious gathering near Phulrai  village in the Sikandrarau area and the event was addressed by Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari or Bhole Baba. Here's what we know-

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1) The Gathering and Bhole Baba -

             An astounding number of people—estimated to be at least a lakh—flocked to Fulrai village.To listen to an address by the revered preacher Suraj Pal (also known as Narayan Sakar Hari or “Bhole Baba”). Reports indicate that the venue was inundated with over 2.5 lakh participants, even though it could accommodate no more than 80,000 individuals. Bhole Baba’s influence extends beyond the immediate region, with followers hailing from states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.

 

2) The Stampede-

       Around 03:30 pm, chaos erupted. A sea of women, who had been waiting on the sidelines, rushed to catch a glimpse of Bhole Baba and touch the dust from where his convoy had passed. Slippery ground, a massive crowd, and rainwater combined to create a deadly situation.

The stampede claimed the lives of over a hundred people, including women and children.

 

3) The Aftermath -

        The death toll reached 121, with several others injured. Most of the deceased, mainly women and children, were from the economically vulnerable sections of society, and were in search of spiritual solace.

Authorities are investigating the cause, focusing on suffocation and the sudden rush of people as contributing factors.

 

4) Accountability -

        The state government has ordered an FIR against the event organizers. The tragedy served as a Grim reminder of the risks associated with large gatherings and inadequate crowd management.

 

5) Conclusion -

         As we mourn the loss of lives, we must reflect on the need for better safety measures during public events. Let's hope that lessons are learned from this heartbreaking incident to prevent such disasters in the future.

 

 — Team Yuva Aaveg

(Praveen Kumar Maurya)

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# Reference-

Numerical Data is taken from The Hindu