In the wake of the tragic Hathras stampede, where 121 devotees lost their lives, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a pointed critique towards Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. The Chief Minister’s remarks came during a press conference, highlighting the political implications surrounding the incident.
The Incident and Political Reactions
The Hathras stampede occurred during a congregation led by the spiritual leader Bhole Baba. As old photographs of Akhilesh Yadav at a Bhole Baba event resurfaced, Adityanath subtly accused Yadav of being politically allied with the godman. “Everyone knows about the godman’s political allies,” Adityanath stated, hinting at the connections without directly naming Yadav. He emphasized the need for a judicial inquiry to determine if the incident was a result of human error or intentional sabotage.
Akhilesh Yadav had previously blamed the Yogi government for the stampede, attributing it to administrative negligence. In response to Adityanath’s allegations, SP MP RK Choudhary accused the UP government of attempting to turn the incident into a communal issue. Choudhary pointed to the lack of proper medical treatment for the injured as a major failure of the Hathras administration.
Criticism of Government Handling
Abhishek Mishra, a senior SP leader, criticized the government’s handling of the event. “There is a standard procedure for organizing any event. They must have checked how many people would attend and planned accordingly. Instead of passing the buck, they should own up,” Mishra asserted, calling the tragedy a complete failure of the UP government.
The Search for Bhole Baba
Amidst the political turmoil, the whereabouts of Bhole Baba remain unknown. The UP Police have registered an FIR against Devprakash Madhukar, also known as ‘Mukhya Sewadar,’ and other event organizers, but Bhole Baba’s name has not yet been included. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar mentioned that a raid was conducted at Baba’s Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district, but he was not found.
Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Hari, has a significant following in Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states like Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. His followers acknowledge his political connections, which the police believe he might use to evade arrest.
Details from the FIR
The FIR details the chaotic sequence of events leading to the stampede. Around 2:00 PM, as Bhole Baba left the venue in his car, devotees began collecting dust from the path his car took. This led to a massive surge of people, causing many to be trampled. The crowd’s pressure increased as they were stopped by organizers and guards wielding sticks, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities.
According to the FIR, police and administrative officers tried to help the injured, but the organizers did not cooperate. The FIR also accuses the organizers of inviting a larger number of people than permitted and failing to follow traffic control measures. Additionally, the FIR alleges that the organizers tampered with evidence by clearing the incident site.
Key FIR Details
| Allegations | FIR Sections Cited |
|---|---|
| Culpable Homicide Not Amounting to Murder | Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223, 238 |
| Attempt to Commit Culpable Homicide | 110 |
| Wrongful Restraint | 126(2) |
| Disobedience to Public Servant’s Order | 223 |
| Causing Disappearance of Evidence | 238 |
The FIR was filed on a complaint by Brijesh Pandey, Sub Inspector outpost in-charge, Pura Police Station, Sikandra Rao, Hathras.
Helpline Numbers for Assistance
In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched two helpline numbers: 05722227041 and 05722227042 to assist those affected by the Hathras stampede.
This incident has not only led to a significant loss of life but also sparked a political debate, raising questions about the management of large gatherings and the responsibilities of political and spiritual leaders.
