Tragedy struck on July 2 in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, when a stampede broke out at a religious congregation attended by hundreds of thousands of followers of self-styled godman Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakaar Hari.
The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 121 people, primarily women, with many more injured.
The police have filed a case against the organizers. Still, Bhole Baba’s name is not featured in the FIR, allegedly due to his significant influence in western UP.
According to The New Indian Express, Bhole Baba, whose real name is Suraj Pal Singh, is a former constable in the UP police who took voluntary retirement in 1999 to pursue a spiritual path.
He has a massive following among the poor and lower middle class in western UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, particularly among the Jatav and Valmiki Dalits.
His team, known as the ‘Narayani Sena’, manages traffic and arrangements at his events, and he is often accompanied by his wife, Prem Bati.
Bhole Baba’s spiritual journey has been marked by controversy, including a similar incident in May 2022 when a large crowd gathered for a Satsang in Farrukhabad district, defying COVID protocols.
The recent tragedy in Hathras has raised questions about the safety measures in place and the role of the organizers and administration in preventing such incidents.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has promised to put standard operating procedures in place to prevent such tragedies.
The stampede occurred when devotees rushed to take Bhole Baba’s blessings after his sermon, causing overcrowding and chaos.
The FIR lodged by the police claims that the organizers had sought permission for 80,000 people. Still, over 2.5 lakh people gathered, leading to overcrowding and chaos.
The police have registered an FIR against Bhole Baba’s main servant, Devprakash Madhukar, and unnamed organizers. Still, Bhole Baba’s name is missing from the FIR, as reported by The New Indian Express.
According to India Today, the initial probe report by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has held Bhole Baba’s personal security guards responsible for the stampede.
The report states that the guards pushed away devotees who were rushing to take Bhole Baba’s blessings, causing them to fall into a ditch and suffocate. The SDM’s report also mentions that the area was slippery due to rain and mud, contributing to the tragedy.
The police are investigating the incident and have raided Bhole Baba’s ashram in Mainpuri district in search of him. However, he remains absconding, and his whereabouts are unknown.
The UP government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and injured. An inquiry committee has been set up to investigate the incident.
As per NDTV, Bhole Baba’s followers have claimed that he does not keep the money devotees offer and distributes it among the people. However, the scale of donations and his financial dealings are private.
The incident has raised questions about the role of self-styled godmen, their influence on their followers, and the need for greater accountability and transparency in religious gatherings.
The Hathras tragedy is not an isolated incident. Stampedes at religious gatherings are common in India, and the lack of accountability and oversight is a significant concern.
In 2011, a stampede at a religious festival in Haridwar killed 16 people. In 2013, a stampede at a temple in Madhya Pradesh killed 115 people.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for greater accountability. The UP government has faced criticism for handling the incident. Opponents have demanded action against Bhole Baba and his organizers.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, questions are being raised about the role of self-styled godmen and their influence on their followers. While many devotees have come forward to defend Bhole Baba, others have questioned his credibility and motives.
The incident has also highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in religious gatherings. The government has announced plans to establish guidelines for spiritual gatherings. Still, whether these measures will effectively prevent such tragedies remains to be seen.
