While 121 people died and 28 others were left seriously injured, the self-styled godman ‘Bhole Baba’ aka Baba Narayan Hari is nowhere to be found.
The worst-case stampede case that India has seen in a while, the ‘Satsang’ held at Hathras for Bhole Baba has sent ripples through people in authoritative positions who have been held responsible for the accident.
Meanwhile, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday over the incident that alleged serious negligence and highlighted the administration’s failure to control the crowd.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the district hospital in Hathras where the injured are currently receiving treatment.
‘Couldn’t find Baba ji’
The Uttar Pradesh police have conducted searches at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district to hunt down Bhole Baba.
“We did not find Baba Ji inside the campus…He is not here,” said deputy SP Sunil Kumar.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been filed against the organisers of the event. However, families of the deceased have claimed that the name of the preacher was not mentioned in the complaint.
The FIR states that the organisers had initially sought permission for a gathering of 80,000 people but 2.5 lakh devotees showed up for the event.
The many lapses at Hathras
The Uttar Pradesh Police have identified several lapses in the way the religious event was organised in the Hathras village.
What caused the stampede?
Prima facie it seems that the stampede was caused due to extreme heat and humidity.
However, several theories have come to the fore including the one that suggests that people rushed toward the preacher as he was leaving “to touch his feet” which could have triggered the stampede.
The deaths were a result of a ‘pratha’ or ritual where the preacher’s followers touch his feet to collect “pair ki dhool” (foot’s dust) and seek his blessings.
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121 dead, 28 injured & Bhole Baba absconding: How Hathras stampede case is unfolding
