Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, visited Hathras on Friday to meet the families affected by the tragic stampede at a satsang in Uttar Pradesh. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, claimed the lives of 121 individuals. Rahul Gandhi also extended his condolences to the victims’ families and assured them of raising the issue in Parliament.
The stampede took place during a congregation organized by preacher Bhole Baba in Hathras, where police have since arrested six members of the organizing committee, all volunteers (‘sevadars’) at the satsang. The arrests were made in connection with alleged lapses in crowd management and safety protocols during the event.
Expressing concern over the incident, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for the administration to address any deficiencies promptly. “Maximum compensation should be provided to the affected families, who are mostly from poor backgrounds,” he stated, urging Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure comprehensive support for the victims’ families.
The arrested individuals include Ram Ladaite (50), Upendra Singh Yadav (62), Megh Singh (61), Mukesh Kumar (38), and two women, Manju Yadav (30) and Manju Devi (40). The main accused, Devprakash Madhukar, remains at large, prompting authorities to issue a non-bailable warrant against him.
In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a judicial inquiry, forming a three-member commission led by a retired high court judge. The investigation will also examine whether there was any underlying conspiracy contributing to the stampede.
Meanwhile, security measures have been heightened outside Bhole Baba’s ashram in Mainpuri, with police efforts aimed at maintaining public safety and investigating further into the incident.
The visit by Rahul Gandhi underscores the political and humanitarian dimensions of the Hathras stampede, highlighting the need for accountability and support to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for improved safety protocols during public gatherings, emphasizing the importance of effective crowd management and regulatory oversight in ensuring public safety.
