A devastating stampede during Bhole Baba’s ‘satsang’ in Hathras on Tuesday, July 2, claimed the lives of more than 100 people and left several injured. The tragic incident occurred at the conclusion of the religious gathering in Phulrai village, Sikanda Rau police station area, Uttar Pradesh.
Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari and formerly Suraj Pal, is a former government employee turned spiritual leader with a vast following in Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states. He previously worked for the Intelligence Bureau and Uttar Pradesh Police before retiring to focus on his spiritual mission.
He quit his government job 26 years ago and began delivering religious sermons in various villages and towns across Uttar Pradesh. He had initiated his sermons during his tenure and later resigned and established an ashram in Patiyali. Bhole Baba has millions of followers across the country, including Western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
The stampede occurred as devotees surged forward to seek blessings from Bhole Baba after his sermon, resulting in chaos and tragic casualties. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident, announcing financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He has dispatched two ministers, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police to the site to oversee the situation.
An investigative team led by ADG Agra and the Commissioner of Aligarh will probe the causes behind the stampede. Authorities have confirmed that an FIR will be filed against the event organizers for inadequate arrangements despite prior permissions. The state government aims to hold those responsible accountable and prevent such tragedies in the future.
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