Tragic Stampede at Hathras Religious Gathering

On July 2, 2024, a tragic stampede occurred during a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The event, organized by the spiritual leader Bhole Baba, was held in Phulrai village. Due to severe overcrowding, with over 200,000 attendees despite permission for only 80,000, the situation quickly became unmanageable. As people began to leave the venue, a road elevated above a drain caused many to fall, resulting in a pile-up that led to the stampede.

The incident resulted in 121 deaths and numerous injuries. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a judicial panel to investigate the cause and accountability of the tragedy. The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured strict action against those responsible and announced compensation for the families of the deceased. This incident highlights significant lapses in crowd management and safety protocols during large gatherings.

Condolences have poured in from various national and international leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and foreign dignitaries like Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The tragedy has prompted widespread calls for improved safety measures at mass events in India.