A Hindu religious gathering in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, India resulted in a devastating stampede on Tuesday, July 2, causing the deaths of at least 121 people, primarily women and children, according to local officials. The event attracted around 250,000 attendees, far surpassing the authorized limit of 80,000, which led to lethal overcrowding.
The event was orchestrated by a Hindu preacher, Suraj Pal Singh, also known as “Bhole Baba.” Chaos ensued when attendees rushed towards Baba’s vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported a wave of panic as thousands of followers pushed forward, trampling others who remained seated.
Early police reports suggested that the preacher’s aides and volunteers attempted to manage the crowd but were unsuccessful. The turmoil reportedly started when Baba’s staff acted to prevent individuals from approaching his car. According to police, some followers, motivated to gather dust from the preacher’s feet, added to the disarray.
A doctor at the district hospital, where the injured were being treated, confirmed that the majority of the deaths were due to asphyxiation. The victims were admitted with severe respiratory problems. The doctor reported that the overcrowding and lack of air led to numerous attendees collapsing and suffocating. Of the confirmed 121 deaths, 112 were women and seven were children. Additionally, the stampede resulted in injuries to 31 people.
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, visited the location and the injured in the hospital and announced a judicial inquiry to investigate the incident. The investigation will be headed by a retired judge from the Allahabad High Court, assisted by a retired IAS officer and a former IPS officer. Adityanath told reporters, “A protocol must be created to manage such future events and prevent such incidents from recurring.”
In a statement, the preacher’s attorney, A.P. Singh, denied any faults by Bhole Baba. Singh stressed that Baba did not urge his followers to touch his feet or gather dust from his path. Singh added, “Baba’s aides are prepared to assist those affected by this tragic incident.”
While the investigation is ongoing, authorities are searching for Bhole Baba, who has not been seen since the event. Officials raided his residence at the Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district but did not find him. A poster at the event site indicated that a group of devotees had organized the gathering.
Eyewitness reports provide a distressing account of the aftermath of the event. A junior official at the scene informed the district administrator that the preacher’s staff had prevented followers from approaching the car, causing many to fall and be trampled. Some attendees tried to escape to nearby open fields but slipped and fell in the mud, intensifying the chaos.
One of the victims, Ruby, had traveled a great distance with her father, Chedilal, to attend the event. Chedilal said, “I was scared and ran away, calling my daughter on the phone.” After a night of searching hospitals, he found Ruby’s body at the Hathras district hospital the following morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and stressed the importance of improved crowd control at large gatherings. Stampedes at religious events in India are not rare, often due to inadequate crowd control and safety measures. Past incidents, like the 2013 Madhya Pradesh festival stampede, have likewise resulted in numerous casualties.
The local authorities, including the police, have been criticized for their management of the event. Residents and eyewitnesses faulted the organizers for poor preparation and crowd control. The heavy congestion on the national highway caused delays for ambulances, with attendees blocking the road for up to three miles.
The judicial inquiry is expected to present its findings within two months. The Uttar Pradesh government has pledged compensation for the victims’ families and stern action against those found responsible. Meanwhile, the search for Bhole Baba continues as the investigators aim to determine the full extent of 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.