Two days after a tragic crowd crush that killed 121 people — mostly women and children — at a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras on July 2, the state's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is now facing hard questions about why the First Information Report (FIR) does not mention the name of the preacher, Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba.
The incident has drawn attention and concern, leading to questions being raised about the handling of the incident by authorities.
The stampede took place at the Baghla Chauraha in Hathras during the annual 'Guru Purnima' celebrations, resulting in the tragic death of 121 people.
During a press briefing on July 3, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was asked why the FIR did not mention prime suspect Bhole Baba.
The exclusion of his name from the report has led to suspicions and accusations of bias in the investigation.
Adityanath emphasized the need for a thorough and fair investigation to address the concerns properly.
He wants every detail examined carefully and ensures the investigation is unbiased, free from unfair influence or prejudice.
“The investigation is ongoing, and it is crucial that we do not jump to conclusions or make premature accusations. The police are conducting a detailed inquiry to ensure that all aspects of the incident are examined,” said Adityanath.
He further elaborated that the FIR, as it stands, is based on the initial information available at the time of filing.
The Chief Minister assured that if the investigation reveals evidence against Bhole Baba or any other individual, appropriate actions would be taken in accordance with the law.
Adityanath also highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing large gatherings and ensuring safety at major religious events.
He called for cooperation from all stakeholders to prevent such tragedies in the future and emphasized the need for better crowd management strategies.
These measures include stricter crowd control protocols, better coordination among different departments, and increased vigilance to avoid any untoward incidents.
As per the initial investigation, officials have identified several reasons for the stampede, including the chaos that ensued when the preacher's followers hurried to collect the soil - 'charan raj' - touched by his feet.
Bhole Baba's lawyer AP Singh has responded to the Hathras stampede, refuting claims that followers rushed to collect soil touched by the Baba's feet.
In his initial statement, the former police officer-turned-preacher blamed the tragedy to "anti-social elements" and alleged a conspiracy that merits investigation.
AP Singh clarified that the preacher does not permit his followers to touch his feet and dismissed reports of the gathering of 'charan raj' as false. He said that there isn’t any evidence to prove this.
A three-member panel, chaired by retired Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastav of the Allahabad High Court, has been tasked with investigating the incident and is expected to submit its findings within two months.
In response to the tragedy, the government has also announced compensation for the victims' families and assured them of support.
Medical facilities are being provided to those injured, and a special task force has been deployed to oversee the ongoing investigation.
The stampede at the Bageshwar Dham temple has once again highlighted the critical need for effective crowd management and the importance of prompt and transparent investigations.
As the investigation continues, the administration is under scrutiny to ensure justice is served and preventive measures are strengthened to avoid future mishaps.
