Bhole Baba Satsang Stampede : In a tragic turn of events, a prayer meeting, or ‘satsang’, led by the former police constable-turned-preacher Bhole Baba, ended in disaster as a stampede claimed the lives of 121 people, the majority of whom were women. The incident occurred in Hathras, approximately 200 km from Delhi, where an overwhelming crowd of 2,50,000 devotees had gathered to hear Bhole Baba preach.
You Won’t Believe What Happened at Bhole Baba’s Satsang – 121 Lives Lost!
Arrests and Investigation
Six individuals, including several organisers, have been apprehended in connection with the stampede. Inspector General of Police (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur confirmed the arrests, stating, “All six persons who have been arrested worked as ‘sevadars’ (volunteers) at the ‘satsang’.” A key figure, Devprakash Madhukar, has been identified as a prime suspect, with a reward of ₹ 1 lakh announced for his capture and a non-bailable warrant (NBW) soon to be issued.
The Incident
Initially, officials attributed the panic to a dust storm, but subsequent police reports suggested the stampede was triggered when followers began collecting earth from the ground where Bhole Baba had walked. The self-styled godman, now in his early 60s, has not been publicly seen since the incident. In a statement, he expressed his intent to take legal action against “anti-social elements” allegedly responsible for the chaos.
Official Statements
Bhole Baba, originally named Suraj Pal Singh before adopting the name Narayan Sakar Hari, or “Bhole Baba”, conveyed his “deepest condolences to the families of the deceased”. Despite the gravity of the incident, he has not been questioned yet. Inspector General Mathur clarified, “We will make arrests based on what the investigation reveals… We will question the baba if necessary, it is too early to say or comment whether he has a role. He has not been named in the FIR, which has held the organisers responsible.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the accident site and met with the injured. When questioned about the omission of the preacher’s name from the FIR, he responded, “Prima facie, the case has been filed against those who applied for permission for the event. Whoever is responsible for this will come under its purview.”
Victims and Compensation
District Magistrate Ashish Kumar confirmed that all victims have been identified and their bodies handed over to their families. The last body was identified via video call, and the family is en route to Aligarh hospital to retrieve it. The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a compensation package, offering ₹ 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹ 50,000 to those injured.
Conclusion
The Hathras stampede has raised significant concerns regarding the management and safety protocols at large public gatherings. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and providing support to the victims’ families. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the need for stringent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
ALSO READ : UP Hathras Stampede LIVE Updates: 116 Killed at ‘Satsang’, Suffocation Primary Reason; PM Condoles
FAQ: ‘Satsang’ Organisers Among 6 Arrested, ‘Bhole Baba’ Questioning “If Needed”
- What is the ‘satsang’ incident about?
- The ‘satsang’ incident refers to a deadly stampede that occurred during a prayer meeting led by Bhole Baba in Hathras, resulting in 121 deaths.
- Who is Bhole Baba?
- Bhole Baba, originally named Suraj Pal Singh, is a former police constable-turned-preacher known for leading large prayer meetings.
- Where did the stampede occur?
- The stampede occurred in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, approximately 200 km from Delhi.
- How many people died in the stampede?
- The stampede resulted in the deaths of 121 people, the majority of whom were women.
- What caused the stampede?
- Initially, officials blamed a dust storm, but later reports suggested the stampede began when followers started collecting earth from the ground where Bhole Baba had walked.
- How many people attended the ‘satsang’?
- Approximately 2,50,000 devotees attended the ‘satsang’.
- Who has been arrested in connection with the stampede?
- Six individuals, including some organisers and volunteers (sevadars), have been arrested in connection with the stampede.
- Is Bhole Baba being questioned by the police?
- As of now, Bhole Baba has not been questioned by the police. Authorities have stated that they will question him if necessary based on the investigation.
- What is Bhole Baba’s response to the incident?
- Bhole Baba expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and announced plans to take legal action against “anti-social elements” allegedly responsible for the chaos.
- What actions have been taken by the police?
- The police have arrested six organisers, issued a reward for a key suspect, and are investigating the cause of the stampede.
- What compensation has been announced for the victims?
- The Uttar Pradesh government has announced ₹ 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹ 50,000 for the injured.
- Who visited the accident site after the incident?
- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the accident site and met with the injured.
- Why was Bhole Baba not named in the FIR?
- The FIR holds the organisers responsible for the event. The police stated that they would name and question Bhole Baba if the investigation reveals his involvement.
- What measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future?
- Authorities are reviewing safety protocols for large public gatherings and emphasizing the need for better crowd management.
- How have the bodies of the victims been handled?
- All bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, with the last body identified via video call.
- What was the response of the local administration?
- The local administration is cooperating with the investigation and ensuring that the victims’ families receive the announced compensation.
- How has the public reacted to the incident?
- The incident has sparked widespread grief and anger, with many calling for stricter regulations for large gatherings.
- Who are the key suspects in the case?
- One of the key suspects is Devprakash Madhukar, for whom a non-bailable warrant is expected to be issued.
- What role did the volunteers play in the ‘satsang’?
- The volunteers, or sevadars, were responsible for managing the event and crowd control during the ‘satsang’.
- What future actions are expected from the authorities?
- Authorities are expected to continue the investigation, potentially questioning Bhole Baba, and enforcing stricter measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
