In Hathras, India, around 121 people lost their lives in a tragic stampede that occurred after a sermon by guru Bhole Baba. Despite the authorities setting an 80,000 limit on the number of people allowed to attend the event, approximately 250,000 individuals gathered.
After the sermon ended and Guru Baba left in his car, the crowd became frenzied as they tried to touch his feet and the ground he walked on. The cleric’s staff attempted to control the crowd but ultimately failed as many people fell and were trampled while trying to escape through the venue.
Some worshippers tried to flee the chaos by running towards a nearby field, but slipped on the muddy area and further exacerbated the situation. Staff with sticks on one side of the road also prevented the crowd from dispersing.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged support for those affected by this incident and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation into it. The police have registered a case against those responsible for organizing this event and are planning to arrest Guru Baba once his whereabouts are known.
This event serves as a reminder of how dangerous overcrowding can be at religious gatherings and highlights the need for stricter safety measures in place to prevent such incidents from happening again in future. There have been several instances of stampedes at similar events in India in recent years, which is why there are growing concerns about enforcing safety protocols more strictly to protect attendees at these gatherings.