A Hindu religious gathering in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, India took a disastrous turn on July 2, when a stampede resulted in the deaths of at least 121 individuals, predominantly women and children. The event attracted approximately 250,000 attendees, far exceeding the authorized capacity of 80,000, which triggered the fatal overcrowding.
The gathering, led by a Hindu preacher known as Suraj Pal Singh or “Bhole Baba,” descended into chaos as the crowd surged towards Singh’s vehicle. Eyewitnesses recounted a scene of panic as devotees rushed forward, trampling others who had remained seated.
Initial police reports suggested that despite efforts by the preacher’s aides and volunteers to manage the crowd, they were unsuccessful. The disorder reportedly started when Baba’s staff tried to stop people from getting near his car. Some followers, keen to collect dust from the path of the preacher, added to the pandemonium, police said.
A doctor at the district hospital treating the injured confirmed that the majority of deaths were due to suffocation. The victims were admitted with severe respiratory problems. The overcrowding and lack of air caused many to collapse and suffocate. Among the 121 confirmed fatalities, 112 were women and seven were children. Moreover, 31 individuals were injured during the stampede.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site and the injured at the hospital. He announced a judicial inquiry into the incident, to be headed by a retired judge from the Allahabad High Court, assisted by a retired IAS officer and a former IPS officer. Adityanath noted that a protocol must be developed to manage such events in the future and prevent similar incidents.
The preacher’s legal representative, A.P. Singh, released a statement denying any misconduct by Bhole Baba. Singh underscored that the preacher had not encouraged followers to touch his feet or gather dust from his path. “Baba’s aides are ready to assist those affected by this tragic incident,” Singh added.
In the midst of the ongoing investigation, police are attempting to find Bhole Baba, who has not been seen since the incident. Authorities raided his residence at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district but found no trace of him. A banner at the event indicated that a group of devotees had arranged the gathering.
Eyewitness reports provide a bleak depiction of the aftermath of the event. A junior official at the scene reported that the preacher’s staff had stopped devotees from approaching the car, leading to many falling and getting trampled. Some attendees fled towards nearby open fields, slipping and falling in the mud, further contributing to the chaos.
One of the victims, Ruby, had traveled a long distance with her father, Chedilal, to attend the gathering. “I was scared and ran away, calling my daughter on the phone,” Chedilal said. After a night spent searching hospitals, he found Ruby’s body at the Hathras district hospital the following morning.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and highlighted the need for improved crowd management at large events. Stampedes at religious gatherings in India are not uncommon, often due to insufficient crowd control and safety measures. Similar incidents, such as the 2013 Madhya Pradesh festival stampede, have also resulted in substantial loss of life.
The local authorities, including the police, have come under fire for their management of the event. Residents and eyewitnesses accused the organizers of inadequate preparation and crowd control. Ambulances were delayed due to severe congestion on the national highway, which was blocked for up to three miles by event attendees.
The judicial inquiry is expected to deliver its findings within two months. The Uttar Pradesh government has pledged compensation for the victims’ families and stern action against those found to be responsible. Meanwhile, the search for Bhole Baba continues as the investigation aims to establish full accountability.
On Thursday, July 4, Indian police said they had arrested six people. Authorities stated that the four men and two women apprehended were assistants to Baba, involved in setting up the event, but they fled when the chaos erupted. When questioned about Baba’s involvement, a high-ranking police officer revealed that the preacher was not mentioned in the case they had documented. “If there is a need, we will question (him) … It is too early to say whether he had a role,” Uttar Pradesh police Inspector-General Shalabh Mathur said.
