Negligence & Mismanagement are Inexcusable: Kharge on Puri Stampede
Tragedy struck Odisha’s Puri on Friday during the revered Rath Yatra, with at least three people losing their lives and many others injured in a stampede. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge leading the chorus of criticism against the Odisha government. Kharge minced no words in his condemnation, terming the negligence and mismanagement that led to the tragedy as “inexcusable”.
The stampede occurred when thousands of devotees were participating in the Rath Yatra, a significant Hindu festival, in Puri. The yatra, which is one of the oldest and most revered festivals in the country, is a celebration of Lord Jagannath’s annual journey to his aunt’s house. The festival attracts millions of devotees from across the country, who converge on Puri to pay their respects to the deity.
The tragedy is not an isolated incident, as reports emerged of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra. This raises serious questions about the preparedness and planning of the Odisha government to handle the large crowds that gather during the festival.
Kharge’s scathing criticism of the government’s handling of the situation is well-deserved. The Congress chief pointed out that the tragedy highlights the gross negligence and mismanagement of the government, which has put the lives of devotees at risk. He urged the government to take immediate action to ensure that such tragedies do not recur in the future.
The Odisha government’s response to the tragedy has been criticized for being slow and inadequate. While the government has announced an investigation into the incident, many have questioned the effectiveness of the inquiry. The opposition parties have been vocal in their criticism of the government, demanding that those responsible for the tragedy be held accountable.
The Puri stampede is a stark reminder of the need for better planning and preparedness to handle large crowds during festivals. The government’s failure to provide adequate infrastructure and security measures has put the lives of devotees at risk. The incident is also a reflection of the lack of accountability and transparency in the functioning of the government.
The Rath Yatra is a significant cultural and religious event in India, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that it is conducted in a safe and peaceful manner. The government’s failure to do so is a betrayal of the trust placed in it by the people.
In addition to the human cost of the tragedy, the Puri stampede has also had a significant impact on the economy. The yatra is a major source of revenue for the local economy, with millions of rupees generated through tourism and other related activities. The tragedy has dealt a significant blow to the local economy, which is already reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Puri stampede is also a reminder of the need for greater cooperation and coordination between the government and other stakeholders, including religious institutions and community leaders. The government must work closely with these stakeholders to ensure that festivals are conducted in a safe and peaceful manner.
In conclusion, the Puri stampede is a tragedy that should not have occurred. The negligence and mismanagement of the government are inexcusable, and those responsible must be held accountable. The government must take immediate action to ensure that such tragedies do not recur in the future. The people of Odisha and the country as a whole demand better from their government, and it is the government’s responsibility to deliver.
