In a tragic incident, 107 people lost their lives during a stampede at a religious event, or ‘satsang,’ in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday. Among the deceased were many women and children. The injured and deceased were taken to hospitals in Hathras and the neighboring Etah district. Chaitra V, the Commissioner of Aligarh, confirmed the death toll, with 27 fatalities reported from Etah district and 18 people injured.
The stampede occurred during a satsang organized by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee for the self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Sakar Vishwa Hari or Bhole Baba. An eyewitness described the chaos, stating, “We had come for the satsang. It was a large crowd. Once the satsang ended, we started leaving. The exit was narrow. As we tried to exit towards the field, suddenly, a commotion started, and we didn’t know what to do. Many people have died.”
Another eyewitness added, “After the satsang ended, everyone came out. Outside, the road was built at a height with a drain below. One after the other, people started falling into it. Some people got crushed.”
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences, calling the incident heartbreaking. “The news of the death of many devotees, including women and children, in the accident in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh is heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” she posted on her official X handle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Lok Sabha, said, “I am receiving news of a tragic death in Hathras. I express my condolences to those who have lost their lives and wish for the injured to recover soon. The state government is engaged in rescue operations. The central government is in contact. All possible help will be provided to the victims.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his sorrow, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. May God give them strength to bear this pain. The local administration is engaged in relief work. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to reach the site immediately and expedite the relief work. He also instructed officials to ensure the injured received proper treatment at the hospital. The Chief Minister dispatched the Director General of Police, along with two senior ministers and the Chief Secretary, to the spot. UP Minister Sandeep Singh stated, “We have been instructed by the CM to reach the Hathras incident site, look into the matter, and take the required decisions on behalf of the government. The number of deceased is continuously increasing.” Financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each will be provided to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Chief Minister Adityanath will visit Hathras tomorrow to assess the situation and meet the families of the victims. He will be accompanied by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sanjay Prasad. A team consisting of the additional director general of police, Agra, and the Aligarh Commissioner has been formed to investigate the cause of the incident.
Hathras MP Anoop Pradhan will visit the site where the stampede occurred, saying, “I just spoke to the district magistrate. Many people have died.” Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Yogi government, stating, “Since the state government was earlier notified about the large number of people going to attend the satsang, it was their responsibility to ensure that appropriate measures should be taken.”
Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, expressed his condolences, saying, “I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The government and administration are requested to provide every possible treatment to the injured and relief to the affected families. All workers in India are requested to provide their cooperation in relief and rescue.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her condolences, saying, “My heart goes out to their family members.” BSP chief Mayawati demanded a probe into the incident, stating, “It is very sad that a large number of people died and many were injured in a stampede during a religious gathering in Hathras district of UP, and a young man was killed during a Buddhist/Bhim Katha in Agra. The government should investigate these incidents, take appropriate action, and provide financial assistance to the victim families.”
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