A stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the tragic death of at least 121 people last evening. The incident took place during a ‘satsang’ held for Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Saakar Hari, attended by more than two lakh people.

Officials reported that the site was overcrowded and experienced extreme humidity. They stated that the venue for the satsang was too small to accommodate the large crowd of 2.5 lakh devotees.

A case has been filed against a close aide or ‘mukhya sewadar’ of the self-proclaimed godman and the organizers of the event. However, the First Information Report (FIR) does not include Bhole Baba, whose real name is Suraj Pal Singh, as an accused.

Police are investigating the roles of the local administration and the event organizers following a tragic stampede at the ‘satsang’. According to the FIR, permission was granted for 80,000 attendees, yet over 2.5 lakh devotees participated. Allegations in the FIR include organizers misrepresenting attendee numbers during permission requests, failing to assist with traffic management, and concealing evidence post-stampede.

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Video footage before the stampede depicted a large gathering under a tent (‘shamiana’) listening to Bhole Baba, who sat on a throne-like chair. Eyewitnesses reported that after the event, some devotees rushed towards exits while others moved towards the preacher’s path, causing overcrowding and confusion.

“On the other side of the road, the crowd running in the water and mud-filled fields behind baba’s car was forcibly stopped by the organising committee with sticks, due to which the pressure of the crowd kept increasing and women, children, and men kept getting crushed,” the FIR said. The government has announced compensation of ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed an investigation committee in response to the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences to victims’ families, with PM Modi assuring full support from the Centre to Uttar Pradesh.

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