Odisha Government Seeks Public Help in Puri Stampede Investigation
The Odisha government has issued a public notice seeking information, including video footage, regarding the recent deadly stampede at Puri's Gundicha Temple. The incident, which occurred during a Rath Yatra ceremony, killed three people and injured 50. The appeal is part of an administrative inquiry led by the Development Commissioner, which aims to conduct a transparent investigation into the tragedy's cause, identify those responsible, and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences. The final report is due within 30 days.
Unpacked:
The Rath Yatra is an annual religious festival in Puri, Odisha, where large chariots carry the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. It attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees who come to witness the rituals and participate in pulling the chariots, making it one of India's largest religious gatherings.
The stampede occurred in the early morning after the chariot-pulling ritual. A sudden surge of devotees eager to view the deities, combined with inadequate crowd control and a vehicle reportedly entering the crowded area, led to chaos and people falling over each other, resulting in casualties.
The Odisha government has initiated an administrative inquiry led by the Development Commissioner, issued a public appeal for information and footage, and promised a transparent investigation. The Law Minister has stated that strict action will be taken against those responsible, and the final report is expected within 30 days.
While the current news does not detail past incidents, historically, large gatherings like the Rath Yatra have posed crowd management challenges in Puri. Previous years have seen injuries and near-stampedes, prompting ongoing debates about improving safety and crowd control during the festival.