Hathras Tragedy: Religious Event Stampede Claims 116 Lives, Majority Women
A devastating stampede occurred at a religious congregation in Phulrai village, Hathras district, resulting in the tragic death of 116 people, mostly women, as they suffocated in the chaos. The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday when devotees, attending a ‘satsang’ led by the preacher Bhole Baba, were leaving the event. The stampede led to bodies piling atop one another, creating a horrifying scene. Among the deceased, 23 women were confirmed dead at a hospital in the neighboring Etah district, while 89 others died in Hathras itself, according to Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Singh. The total death toll, as reported by Aligarh Range Inspector General of Police Shalabh Mathur, was 116.
Eyewitness accounts described the panic as people tried to leave the venue, and many victims were transported to the Sikandara Rao Trauma Centre in trucks and tempos, with bodies scattered outside as people gathered around in distress. Video footage showed heart-wrenching scenes of people mourning amidst the lifeless bodies in vehicles. Prior to the stampede, devotees were seen listening to Bhole Baba under a large ‘shamiana,’ where he sat on a throne-like chair.
District Magistrate Ashish Kumar stated that the ‘satsang’ was a private event with local administration providing external security, while internal arrangements were managed by the organizers. Eyewitness Shakuntala Devi recounted the chaos that ensued as people tried to exit, leading to a pile-up of bodies. Ravendra Kumar, the Sikandra Rao sub-divisional magistrate, indicated that the stampede occurred as devotees attempted to catch a glimpse of Bhole Baba and collect soil from his feet. The slippery ground was blamed for exacerbating the situation, with participants like Sonu Kumar describing the sudden rush when the guru left the venue.
Police and eyewitnesses cited overcrowding and inadequate arrangements as contributing factors. In response, a team including senior police officials and the Aligarh divisional commissioner was tasked with investigating the incident and reporting within 24 hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing Parliament, expressed his condolences and announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Similar announcements were made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who also dispatched state ministers and senior officials to the scene.
Leaders across India, including President Droupadi Murmu, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, and various chief ministers, expressed their sorrow and solidarity with the victims’ families. An FIR was registered against the event organizers, reflecting the gravity of the tragedy and the need for accountability in such catastrophic events.
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Author:- Apoorva Arora