Negligence & Mismanagement are Inexcusable: Kharge on Puri Stampede
The recent stampede that occurred during the Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri has left the nation in shock. The incident, which resulted in the loss of at least three lives and many more injured, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Reacting to the tragedy, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the Odisha government, terming the negligence and mismanagement that led to the incident as “inexcusable”.
The Rath Yatra, a significant event in the Hindu calendar, is a 14-day festival where Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra, and brother Balabhadra are taken out in elaborate chariots across the city of Puri. The festival attracts millions of devotees from across the country, making it a logistical nightmare for the authorities. However, this year’s festival has been marred by controversy, with reports of poor crowd management and lack of preparedness.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday morning, when thousands of devotees converged on the road outside the Shree Jagannath Temple to catch a glimpse of the deities as they passed through. The crowd surge was reportedly triggered by a sudden rush of devotees trying to get closer to the chariots, resulting in a stampede that left many injured and three people dead.
Kharge’s statement condemning the incident has been widely shared and has sparked a heated debate on social media. “The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable,” he said. “This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra. It is unacceptable that despite repeated warnings, the authorities failed to take necessary precautions to prevent this tragedy.”
Kharge’s criticism is not without merit. The Odisha government has been accused of being ill-prepared to handle the massive crowds that attend the festival. The lack of adequate infrastructure, poor crowd control, and inadequate medical facilities have all contributed to the chaos and tragedy.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of the temple administration and the authorities in managing the festival. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has been accused of being complacent and failing to take adequate measures to prevent the stampede.
The SJTA has, however, denied any lapses in its preparations, claiming that the Rath Yatra was organized as per tradition and that the temple administration had taken all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of devotees. The administration has also promised to investigate the incident and take necessary action against those found responsible.
While the investigation is ongoing, many have called for the authorities to take immediate action to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the temple administration and the government.
The Rath Yatra is a significant event in Odisha’s cultural calendar, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure its smooth conduct. The lack of preparedness and poor crowd management that led to the stampede are unacceptable and inexcusable.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives and expresses solidarity with the victims and their families, it is essential that the authorities take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Rath Yatra must be allowed to continue, but it must be done in a way that prioritizes the safety and security of devotees.
Source:
