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. At least three people were killed, and many others injured in the tragic incident. The Congress chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, has strongly condemned the Odisha government, labeling the negligence and mismanagement that led to the tragedy as “inexcusable”.
The Rath Yatra, a significant religious event in Hinduism, is a grand procession of the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra through the streets of Puri. This year’s yatra was marked by chaos and tragedy, with reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday, and at least three people losing their lives in the stampede on Sunday.
Kharge’s scathing criticism of the Odisha government comes at a time when the state is already reeling from the devastating cyclone that hit the region earlier this year. The Congress chief has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
“It is unacceptable that such a tragedy could occur, especially during a sacred event like the Rath Yatra,” Kharge said in a statement. “The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable. The Odisha government must take immediate action to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.”
Kharge’s criticism is not without merit. The Odisha government has been accused of failing to provide adequate security and crowd control measures during the yatra. Eyewitnesses report that the streets were overcrowded, with many devotees being crushed by the sheer number of people trying to get a glimpse of the deities.
The incident has raised serious questions about the preparedness of the Odisha government to handle large-scale events. The state government has been criticized in the past for its handling of natural disasters, and this incident has only added to the growing concerns about its ability to respond to crises.
The Rath Yatra is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, and it attracts millions of devotees from all over the world. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with many people expressing outrage and sadness at the tragic loss of life.
The Odisha government has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, and has announced a compensation package for the families of the victims. However, many are calling for more concrete action to be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Odisha government has been accused of downplaying the severity of the incident. The state’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, has been criticized for his response to the incident, with many calling for him to take responsibility for the tragedy.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of the temple administration in the tragedy. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has been accused of failing to provide adequate guidance and direction to the devotees, leading to the chaos and stampede.
The Rath Yatra is a sacred event, and it is the responsibility of the state government and the temple administration to ensure that it is conducted in a safe and peaceful manner. The recent tragedy is a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring that such events are managed properly, and that the safety and well-being of devotees are prioritized above all else.
In conclusion, the stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri is a tragic reminder of the importance of accountability and responsibility. The Odisha government’s negligence and mismanagement have led to the loss of innocent lives, and it is imperative that they take immediate action to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
As Kharge so aptly put it, “The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable.” It is time for the Odisha government to take responsibility for its actions, and to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.
