Negligence & Mismanagement are Inexcusable: Kharge on Puri Stampede
The recent tragic stampede during the Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri has left the nation in shock and grief. The incident has claimed the lives of at least three people and left many others injured. Reacting to the tragedy, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the Odisha government, saying that the negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable.
The Rath Yatra, a significant annual event in Puri, is a procession of three grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. The event is attended by millions of devotees from across the country and abroad. However, this year’s event has been marred by tragedy and chaos, with reports of stampedes and injuries emerging on both Friday and Sunday.
The Odisha government has come under severe criticism for its handling of the event. Kharge’s statement is a stark reminder of the government’s failure to ensure the safety and security of the devotees. “The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable,” Kharge said in a statement. “This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra.”
The Congress chief’s criticism is not unfounded. The Odisha government has been accused of being complacent and lacking a proactive approach to addressing the safety concerns of the devotees. The lack of adequate crowd control measures, insufficient infrastructure, and inadequate emergency services have all contributed to the tragedy.
The stampede on Sunday was reportedly triggered by a sudden rush of devotees at the Jagannath Temple, which led to a stampede. The incident occurred when a large number of devotees were trying to enter the temple to catch a glimpse of the deities. The temple authorities and the police seemed to be caught off guard, and it took them a while to respond to the emergency.
The incident has raised serious questions about the preparedness of the authorities to handle such large-scale events. The Odisha government has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the devotees, and it is unacceptable that such a tragedy has occurred under its watch.
The Congress chief’s statement is a wake-up call for the Odisha government to take immediate action to address the issues that led to the tragedy. The government must conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Rath Yatra is a sacred event that brings together devotees from across the country and the world. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that the event is conducted in a manner that is safe and respectful for all devotees. The Odisha government must take immediate action to address the concerns of the devotees and ensure that such tragedies do not occur in the future.
In conclusion, the stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri is a tragic reminder of the importance of effective management and crowd control measures. The Odisha government has failed in its duty to ensure the safety and security of the devotees, and it is unacceptable that such a tragedy has occurred under its watch. The Congress chief’s statement is a stark reminder of the government’s failure, and it is imperative that the government takes immediate action to address the issues that led to the tragedy.
