A tragic stampede at a religious gathering organized by a self-styled godman in Hathras has resulted in the loss of 121 lives, predominantly women, amid scenes of chaos and mismanagement.
The Hathras incident occurred as approximately 2.5 lakh devotees gathered for the event, despite official permission only allowing 80,000 attendees. Following the conclusion of the ‘satsang’ and the departure of the godman’s convoy, a rush ensued among devotees eager to collect soil touched by the godman or to see his vehicle up close.
Organizers reportedly attempted to create a pathway for the convoy, leading to a buildup of people on both sides, which contributed to the stampede. High humidity, slippery ground conditions due to recent rains, and the urgency among devotees to board buses for their return exacerbated the situation.
Local authorities and the state police have launched a detailed investigation, with the Director General of Police and Chief Secretary present at the scene. Initial findings suggest severe mismanagement by event organizers and inadequate deployment of police to handle the large crowd.
Witness accounts reveal that many women tried to approach the godman’s vehicle, triggering further chaos. Hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of injured victims following the stampede, highlighting the scale of the tragedy and the urgent need for medical assistance.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has vowed strict action against those found responsible for the negligence that led to the stampede. The incident has sparked outrage and grief across the region, prompting demands for accountability and improved safety measures at large-scale gatherings.