In the months following a serious stampede that left 121 individuals deceased, the Uttar Pradesh police issued a police report against those in charge of a religious building in Hathras on Wednesday. The incident occurred during Bhole Baba’s satsang, where the crowd exceeded the permitted number significantly. Despite the scale of the tragedy, the police have yet to name the preacher in their FIR.
Bhole Baba: The Controversial Preacher
Bhole Baba, also known as Baba Narayan Hari and Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, left the police force over two decades ago to become a religious preacher.
He oversees several ashrams, the largest of which is in Mainpuri. Since the stampede, Bhole Baba has kept a low profile. Police reported he has not been seen at his Mainpuri ashram.
Security and Investigation
The police have heightened security around Bhole Baba’s ashram. However, they assert that the self-styled godman is not on the premises. Known for equating himself with God in his sermons, Bhole Baba once stated:. “I go to temples, gurdwaras, mosques, and churches. I reach wherever I am called.
The Incident [Hathras stampede]
A preliminary report suggests the stampede was triggered when Bhole Baba’s security detail pushed his followers. Who was attempting to collect dirt around his feet? The situation was exacerbated by a slippery slope. The organizers had permission for 80,000 attendees, but approximately 250,000 turned up, causing severe overcrowding and chaos.
Legal Actions and Allegations
The FIR, filed against organizers Devprakash Madhukar and others, accuses them of hiding evidence and failing to manage the crowd, which led to a traffic jam on GT Road. Bhole Baba’s lawyer, AP Singh, alleges the stampede was a conspiracy by anti-social elements to discredit the preacher. He refuted claims that followers were scrambling to collect mud from Bhole Baba’s feet, stating the preacher never allowed such acts.
Community and Followers
Bhole Baba, a sixty-year-old native of Kasganj district’s Bahadurnagar hamlet, is childless. Villagers claim he never solicited donations, with his ashrams being built from voluntary contributions. Authorities have since canceled his upcoming congregations to prevent further incidents.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and preventing such tragedies in the future. The incident has cast a spotlight on the need for better crowd management and adherence to safety protocols at large religious gatherings.
