Negligence & Mismanagement are Inexcusable: Kharge on Puri Stampede
The recent stampede during the Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri has left the country shaken. The tragedy has claimed the lives of at least three people and injured many others. In the aftermath of this devastating incident, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has come down heavily on the Odisha government, terming the negligence and mismanagement that led to the tragedy as inexcusable.
This is not the first incident of its kind to have taken place during the Rath Yatra. Reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra had already raised concerns about the safety and security measures in place. The stampede on Sunday has only added to the worries and raised questions about the preparedness of the authorities to handle such large gatherings.
Kharge’s criticism of the Odisha government is not unfounded. It is the duty of the authorities to ensure the safety and security of the devotees who have gathered to participate in the yatra. This includes providing adequate infrastructure, crowd control measures, and emergency response plans. The fact that the authorities failed to do so is a testament to their negligence and mismanagement.
The Rath Yatra is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, and it attracts a large number of devotees from all over the country. The event is a symbol of devotion and faith, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that it is conducted in a peaceful and safe manner. The fact that the stampede occurred despite the large number of security personnel and officials deployed at the site only adds to the criticism of the authorities.
The Odisha government had announced elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra. However, it seems that these arrangements were not enough to prevent the tragedy. The government had deployed over 10,000 security personnel to maintain law and order, but this was clearly not enough to prevent the stampede.
The government had also set up medical camps and emergency response teams to handle any medical emergencies that may arise. However, it seems that these teams were not adequately prepared to handle the scale of the tragedy. The fact that many devotees were injured and left stranded without medical attention is a testament to the inefficiency of the emergency response system.
The Odisha government must take immediate action to ensure that such tragedies do not occur in the future. This includes conducting a thorough investigation into the causes of the stampede and taking steps to prevent such incidents from happening again. The government must also ensure that the devotees who were injured in the stampede receive adequate medical attention and compensation.
The Rath Yatra is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that it is conducted in a peaceful and safe manner. The fact that the stampede occurred despite the large number of security personnel and officials deployed at the site only adds to the criticism of the authorities.
The Odisha government’s negligence and mismanagement have led to the loss of innocent lives and the injury of many others. This is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and action. The government must take steps to ensure that such tragedies do not occur in the future and that the devotees who participate in the yatra are safe and secure.
In conclusion, the stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri is a tragic incident that has raised serious questions about the preparedness of the authorities to handle large gatherings. The negligence and mismanagement of the Odisha government are inexcusable, and immediate action must be taken to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The government must ensure that the devotees who participate in the yatra are safe and secure, and that the event is conducted in a peaceful and safe manner.
