The tragic stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, has now claimed 116 people among whom are women and children. Aligarh Range IG Shalabh Mathur said that officials just told the media that the bodies of 27 victims lay in Etah's mortuary; the rest were in Hathras and would be dispatched to various hospitals here in the area for post-mortem examinations.
The programme was part of a 'satsang' by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee to which hundreds had gathered to listen to the sermon by the spiritual leader Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba at Ratibhanpur. According to eye-witnesses, the stampede broke out when people in the congregation began leaving the premises amid humid weather, which was further worsened by efforts to hold back the departing public till the preacher and his group had left the area.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured will be given. He ordered a proper investigation into the event organizers and promised stringent action against those responsible.
PM Modi condoled the loss and said the state government is doing everything possible to help the affected people and their families. Former CM Akhilesh Yadav questioned the administration over weak safety arrangements while demanding prompt assistance to affected families and injured people.
Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, alias Suraj Pal, resigned from his job as a policeman for spiritual activities about 17 years ago. Amidst much controversy over previous congregation sizes during the pandemic, his following amongst devotees had increased manifold, with regular 'satsangs' going on across districts like Mainpuri and Hathras.
