Days after 121 people died in a stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras, the lawyer representing the preacher Bhole Baba claimed the tragedy was caused by a group of around 15-16 individuals who sprayed poison during the event. He further asserted that these individuals quickly fled the scene after triggering the stampede.
The victims of the stampede were mostly women and children. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences over the incident. Both the state and central governments announced ex-gratia payments for the families of the deceased as well as for the injured.
While claiming that the stampede was planned, the lawyer said according to PTI, “A heart-wrenching incident happened. 15-16 people were involved in the conspiracy. The permission was taken. The map was attached to the permission. Some unidentified vehicles were there at the spot of the stampede. 10-12 people sprayed poison. Witnesses had said the women were falling and many died due to breathlessness. They fled from the spot. The SIT and SP Hathras are investigating. The CCTV footage should be seized, so that those vehicles can be identified.”
According to initial investigation reports, the organizers had obtained permission for the event with a maximum attendance limit of 80,000. However, over 2.5 lakh people reportedly attended the event.
Currently, nine individuals, including the main accused Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested in connection with the stampede.
What Exactly Happened?
A stampede at Bhole Baba’s ‘satsang’ in Hathras on Tuesday, July 2, resulted in a tragic loss of life, with approximately 121 people killed and several others injured. The incident took place during the conclusion of the religious gathering at Phulrai village in the Sikandra Rau police station area of Uttar Pradesh.
The stampede reportedly began when devotees rushed to seek blessings from Bhole Baba after his sermon ended on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in chaotic and devastating outcomes.
Statement of ‘Bhole Baba’ After The Incident
The preacher on Saturday, Bhole Baba issued his first statement expressing deep distress over the tragic incident on July 2, which resulted in the loss of 121 lives. He conveyed solidarity with the victims and expressed confidence in the state authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“We are distressed after the incident of July 2. May God give us the strength to overcome this sorrow. We should have faith in the government administration. Culprits will not be spared. We told through our lawyer that we stand with those who are going through this sorrow, with our body, money and mind,” he said.
Surajpal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari and Bhole Baba, through his lawyer, has agreed to cooperate with the state administration and police in seeking an investigation into the matter. This statement follows his period of being out of public view after the stampede during one of his religious gatherings.
Bhole Baba
Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari, whose real name is Suraj Pal, is a former government employee who transitioned into a spiritual leader with a significant following in Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states. He claims to have worked in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and served in the Uttar Pradesh Police before retiring from service to pursue spiritual leadership.
Originally from Bahadur Nagari village in Patiyali tehsil of Etah district, he left his government job 26 years ago to begin delivering religious sermons across Uttar Pradesh. He later resigned and established an ashram in Patiyali. Bhole Baba has millions of followers across Western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.