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2mo ago

Judicial Panel Faults Administration for Deadly Hathras Stampede

The investigation into the July 2024 tragedy that claimed 121 lives highlights severe crowd management failures and organizational lapses, while hinting at possible conspiracy angles.

In cults/sects such as Pal’s, practices often originate from the so-called godmen and are often inseparable from their personalities; satsang organisers, too, respond to cues from the cult/sect leader (AP)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspects the site of a stampede in which over 120 people were killed during a religious event, in Hathras. (HT PHOTO)
The incident took place on July 2, 2024 at Fulrai Mughalgarhi village under the Sikandararau police station of Hathras district (HT File Photo)
Following the stampede, a case was filed against 11 close aides of the satsang centre, including the chief organiser, Devprakash Madhukar. However, Bhole Baba, aka Narayan Sakaar Hari, was not mentioned in the FIR filed. (HT Photo)

Overview

  • A judicial commission report on the Hathras stampede identified severe administrative and police failures in managing the crowd of over 250,000, far exceeding the approved 80,000 attendees.
  • The commission did not directly blame preacher Bhole Baba but noted that the organizers obstructed police duties and provided inadequate facilities for attendees.
  • The report dismissed claims of toxic gas spraying as a cause for the stampede, labeling them as misleading and possibly part of a conspiracy to divert the investigation.
  • Key recommendations include enacting stricter laws against superstition, mandatory videography of large events, and improved crowd control measures like drone monitoring and better communication tools for police.
  • The Uttar Pradesh government is reviewing the findings, with political opposition criticizing the focus on conspiracy theories over administrative accountability.