A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court over the Hathras stampede incident alleging the administration’s failure to control the crowd present at the ‘Satsang’.
The death toll from the accident has risen to 121 while the police have identified most of the victims. Most of the casualties were among children and women.
Devotees on Tuesday came to the ‘Satsang’ from various districts of Uttar Pradesh as well as neighbouring states.
A team consisting of ADG Agra and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner has been constituted to inquire into the cause of the incident. The report is to be submitted within 24 hours, the government said in a statement on Tuesday, following the tragic incident.
What does the plea allege?
The plea, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, further alleges that serious lapses and negligence in organising the event of such a large scale have been found which shows an “unfaithful duty of care towards the public by the government authorities.”
Meanwhile, Bhole Baba, the priest for whom the event was organised is absconding. The plea has raised questions about the failure of the administration and the police.
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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