Stampede of devotees collecting soil touched by Bhole Baba : 121 people die at Hathras (UP)
Satsang was attended by 2.5 lakh devotees
Hathras (Uttar Pradesh) – During the satsang of Narayan Saakar Vishwa Hari aka Bhole Baba, 121 people died in the stampede. As Bhole Baba left after the meeting, devotees rushed to touch the soil he walked on, leading to stampede. The devotees fell in the muddy field during the stampede, informed Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh.
A case has been filed by the Police in this connection against the main organiser Devprakash Madhukar and other unknown persons. It has been stated in the report that the permission was granted to the organisers for a gathering of 80,000 people; however, more than 2.5 lakh devotees attended. Manoj Kumar also stated that action would be taken against Bhole Baba. The local people were, however, surprised to note that Bhole Baba’s name was not mentioned in the FIR.
Who is Bhole Baba ?
Bhole Baba’s real name is Suraj Pal Singh. He worked as a constable in the UP Police about 40 years ago. He left his job after ten years of service. He built a big ashram on the land owned by him during the 1990s and started holding satsangs at this place. Many people started attending the satsangs from nearby villages and even other States.
| Editorial Perspective
How did the Police and the Administration not know about such massive gathering and why didn’t they make proper arrangements ? The guilty in this case should be immediately punished. |