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Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Stampedes are usually preventable man-made disasters
This year has been particularly bad for crowd management in India. At least four major incidents have been widely reported: Kumbh Mela (January 29), New Delhi Railway Station (February 15), Lairai Jatra festival in Shirgaon, Goa (May 3), and the most recent, Royal Challenger Bangalore's (RCB) victory celebration in Bangalore (June 4), in which people have died due to overcrowding. At least 11 people were killed in a stampede on June 4 outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. (AFP)(HT_PRINT) Given our large population, large crowds are common in India, especially in religious events. For example, on festivals, thousands of people routinely gather in temples. Yet, stampedes rarely occur. Usually, it is due to good luck, and sometimes, it is due to good planning. Large number of people in an enclosed space is not unlike a tinderbox: all that is needed is a small spark. Good luck arises when there is no spark, which keeps the crowd calm. The spark almost always arises when some people get impatient or panic, usually because they do not make progress towards their goal such as a darshan or a dip during an auspicious period. Some of them push their way around, and the result is a stampede. In all the four incidents cited above, panic or impatience was a key factor. For example, at the New Delhi Railway Station, there were rumours that a train's platform had changed, and some people panicked that they were going to miss their train. Then, they tried to push their way through a crowded foot overbridge, which resulted in the stampede. That some people will get impatient and try to push their way around if their goal will not be met is a crucial aspect of crowd psychology, which must be an essential component of any crowd management plan. For example, every time crowds swelled at the Sangam Ghat during the recently concluded Kumbh Mela, the routes to the ghat were elongated by erecting barriers. This made sure that crowds kept moving, which kept them calm. At the same time, it gave the police extra time to evacuate ghats for the incoming crowd. Another key aspect of crowd management is to not let large crowds gather in any enclosed space in the first place. If large crowds must be entertained, for example, at railway stations during festivals, then the solution is to create holding areas where people wait till their turn comes. Even in holding areas, an understanding of crowd psychology is critical. If it is a railway station, then they must get accurate information about the schedule of trains. Plus, people must move. The police routinely handle large crowds, and there is plenty of know-how available. Large political rallies are almost always smooth. In fact, quite often, the mere presence of the police often keeps people in control, even when planning is less than perfect. How can stampedes be prevented? There are three key elements to the solution: Organisers, police, and people. First, the organisers. Given that police can usually manage crowds, it is crucial that organisers of large events inform the police in advance whenever they expect large crowds to show up. They must also defer to the police instructions and arrangements. Conversely, for any such incident, they must be held accountable if they do not inform or listen to the police authorities. Second, the police. The police are usually able to control crowds. However, in general, their focus is on controlling the flow, rather than in preventing a crowd build-up in the first place. This works fine so long as enough police force is available. However, if the crowd significantly exceeds the police personnel, then they may just ignore the police instructions, as what happened outside the gates of the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. Finally, the people, as in, us. In public discourse after the recent tragedy in Bangalore, I have not seen any commentary on the general public's responsibility. If crowds are swelling, we must recognise that it is a tinderbox, and it may be better to walk away. Our safety is our own responsibility as well. No celebration is worth risking our lives. At the same time, we must recognise that stampedes are man-made disasters. Stampedes only occur when some people in the crowd get impatient, and they have no qualms in pushing their way around to get what they want even if it results in a few deaths, which is both criminal and immoral. The ironic part is often the goal is divine blessings. While other forms of anti-social behaviour routinely get called out, it is unfortunate that unruly conduct in large crowds has not received the same criticism. This article is authored by Amar Sapra, chairperson, MBA, EPGP, IIM, Bangalore.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Bengaluru stampede: A list of major stampedes in India
The joyous celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL win turned deadly on Wednesday (June 5, 2025) evening , as a stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured 33. Overcrowding, confusion over the victory parade, and free passes are believed to have contributed to the tragic incident, marred by chaos and panic among fans. Over 50 people have been killed in stampedes in 2025 so far at temples, railway stations, and at the Maha Kumbh, among others. Here is a list of some major tragedies that have taken place in the country in the recent years: June 4, 2025: The RCB victory celebration of the team's maiden IPL win in 18 years turned into tragedy as at least 11 fans died and several were injured in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. May 3, 2025: At least seven persons were killed and 80 people injured in a stampede in North Goa's Shirgao village in Bicholim taluka, where lakhs of devotees thronged to participate in the annual 'Lairai Jatra' at Shree Lairai Devi Temple. February 15, 2025: At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede that broke out late at night at the New Delhi Railway Station. Most of the passengers who died where Maha Kumbh pilgrims. January 29, 2025: Thirty people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. January 8, 2025: At least six devotees were killed and dozens injured in a stampede as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Hills. December 4, 2024:A 35-year-old woman died and a boy was injured at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad in a stampede where Allu Arjun's blockbuster 'Pushpa 2' was screened. August 12, 2024: Seven people diedand 10 were injured in a stampede at Baba Siddhnath Temple on Banavar hillock in central Bihar. The incident occurred during a crowded puja (worship) event on the fourth Monday of the holy Shrawan month. July 2, 2024: More than 100 people, including women and children, were killed after a stampede broke out at a 'satsang' (prayer meeting) organised by a self-styled godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari, in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras. March 31, 2023: At least 36 people died when the slab constructed on top of an ancient 'bawdi' or well collapsed during a 'havan' programme held on the occasion of Ram Navami at a temple in Indore city. January 1, 2022: At least 12 people died and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees. September 29, 2017: Twenty-three people lost their lives and 36 were injured in the stampede on the narrow bridge connecting the Elphinstone Road station of the Western Railway with Parel station of the Central Railway in Mumbai. July 14, 2015: Twenty-seven pilgrims died and 20 others were injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river where a huge crowd of devotees had gathered on the opening day of 'Pushkaram' festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. October 3, 2014: Thirty-two people were killed and 26 others injured in a stampede at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, shortly after the Dussehra celebrations ended. October 13, 2013: 115 people were killed and over 100 injured in a stampede during the Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district. The stampede was triggered by rumours that a river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse. November 19, 2012: Around 20 people were killed and many others injured as a makeshift bridge caved in, triggering a stampede during the Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat on the bank of river Ganga in Patna. November 8, 2011: At least 20 people were killed in a stampede in Haridwar at Har-ki-Pauri ghat on the banks of the Ganga river. January 14, 2011:At least 104 Sabarimala devotees were killed and over 40 were injured in a stampede when a jeep crashed into homebound pilgrims at Pulmedu in Kerala's Idukki district. March 4, 2010: About 63 people were killed in a stampede at Ram Janki Temple of Kripalu Maharaj in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district as people gathered to collect free clothes and food from the self-styled godman. September 30, 2008: Nearly 250 devotees were killed and over 60 injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of a bomb going off at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan's Jodhpur city. August 3, 2008: 162 dead, 47 injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of rockslides at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district. January 25, 2005: Over 340 devotees were trampled to death and hundreds injured during an annual pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra's Satara district. The accident occurred when some people fell down on the steps made slippery by the devotees breaking coconuts. August 27, 2003: 39 people were killed and around 140 injured in a stampede during the holy bath at the Kumbh Mela in Maharashtra's Nashik district.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Goa stampede: Fact finding inquiry committee recommends dissolving the temple management committee
The Fact-Finding Inquiry Committee (FFIC), constituted to investigate the tragic Goa stampede that occurred early on the morning of May 3, 2025, during the Lairai Jatra festival in Shirgao, North Goa, recommended that the Goa government dissolve the Shree Lairai temple management committee. The report, made available on Tuesday (May 13, 2025), stated that the incident, which led to multiple deaths and injuries, was entirely preventable. 'The failure on the part of the organisers are concerned, inter alia, especially with respect to planning and safety, with not taking cognizance of some untoward incidents in the past, and more particularly with their wilful non-compliance with administrative safety directives; consequently, the Committee strongly recommends that the government should explore the possibility of dissolving the Temple Management Committee and appointing an Administrator, after following due process of law, if deemed appropriate,' the report stated. The Committee's investigation encompassed site visits, consultations with stakeholders, and a review of administrative records. 'The FFIC has concluded that the tragedy was entirely preventable and stemmed from a combination of poor planning, lack of enforcement, ignored directives, and inadequate infrastructure. The recommendations provided in this Report aim to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.' Based on field visits, interactions with eyewitnesses, injured victims, organisers, executive magistrates, police officials, and perusal of available records, the committee found that the stampede was precipitated by a confluence of preventable lapses and oversights among key stakeholders. The report stated, 'The Committee has found that the immediate cause of the stampede was overcrowding on the pathway from Tali to Homkhand, particularly at the upper end of the sloped section near the RBL Bank Branch, Shirgao, aggravated by the unruly behaviour of the Dhonds and lack of proper crowd control measures at that location. The crowd was permitted to enter the pathway from Tali in groups, which were subsequently channelled into a two-by-two queue formation beyond the sloped section leading towards Homkhand.' This arrangement resulted in a build-up of people on the sloped section, causing overcrowding in that area. The overcrowding, coupled with attempts by some groups of Dhonds to push forward through the crowd and their unruly behaviour, caused instability among devotees walking along the slope. As a result, it was given to understand that a person fell face-first on the sloped section, triggering a chain reaction in which several people behind and around her lost their balance and fell over each other. Owing to the downward slope, limited visibility, the push of the crowd, and unruly behaviour, people approaching from behind were unaware of the fall and continued moving forward, leading to the stampede, the report read. 'During the inquiry, some injured victims informed the Committee that a minor incident of a similar nature allegedly had occurred in the past, wherein, in one instance, one devotee's arm was critically injured on the day of the Homkhand,' the 26-page report said, adding that last year, a woman allegedly died due to suffocation at the sloped section of the pathway. 'However, the Committee did not find any record to substantiate such an incident. Notwithstanding the absence of official records, the Committee is of the view that key stakeholders, including the organisers, the district administration, and the district police, should have reviewed past occurrences and undertaken adequate precautionary measures to prevent such untoward incidents.' Several eyewitnesses and injured victims reported that some groups of Dhonds forcefully attempted to move from Tali towards Homkhand. 'The organisers were expected to carry out thorough capacity planning based on the location of key sites and the available access routes. Despite the existence of multiple alternative routes, the Committee found that the organisers failed to develop a multi-route circulation plan to avoid congestion along the primary pathway between Tali and Homkhand. No systematic assessment appears to have been undertaken using historical data, crowd arrival patterns, the festival's growing popularity, the year-by-year increase in the number of Dhonds, and the nature of the visitors, particularly for high-density events like the Homkhand ritual,' the report read. The committee stated it was imperative for organisers to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis and preparedness exercise and/or cooperate with authorities, incorporating their input in planning and execution. 'However, a review of the minutes of all pre-event meetings conducted by revenue and police officials revealed that the organisers did not provide critical information regarding the expected number of visitors, potential risks based on past incidents, or options for alternative circulation routes. On the contrary, the Committee found that the organisers appear to have disregarded specific instructions issued by the revenue and police authorities regarding crowd management, focusing instead solely on the conduct of religious activities,' the report said. The report further stated that the organisers neither demonstrated the intent nor undertook any concrete steps to prevent the proliferation of stalls, despite having been clearly informed by the police and revenue officials about the risks involved. 'The Committee found that the organisers were fully aware of this constraint and its potential consequences but wilfully failed to initiate preventive measures to mitigate the risk of an untoward incident.' The Committee observed that although permanent CCTV cameras had been installed within the temple precincts, the organisers did not extend surveillance to high-risk external areas. 'It is particularly concerning that no temporary CCTV cameras were arranged (on a rental basis or otherwise) at key locations such as Tali and the pathway leading to Homkhand, including the sloped section, which is well known for overcrowding and the haphazard movement of Dhonds.' 'This critical incident was precipitated by a chain of preventable failures arising from inadequate crowd risk assessment, absence of unidirectional circulation planning, non-implementation of safety directives, ambiguity in sectoral responsibilities, failure to utilise surveillance tools, unregulated roadside vending, and the lack of pre-emptive crowd behaviour management — all pointing to institutional and procedural shortcomings among the organisers, the district administration, the police, and the local body,' the committe observed. 'The Police arrangement order issued by the Superintendent of Police, North Goa District, dated April 29, 2025, refers to the installation of six watchtowers. However, during its interaction with the Police Inspector, Bicholim, the Committee learnt that the watchtower designated near the sloped section was not erected at all, and the two police constables assigned to that location were deployed at other points,' the report added. Although the Police had deployed a drone for surveillance purposes, the Committee found that it was not utilised during the aforementioned critical period. The reasons for this could not be established at this time, the committee stated. The State government has issued Show Cause Notices to eight former officials from North Goa District administration, the local police department, and Shirgao panchayat.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Goa stampede: Fact-finding committee begins probe into incident; Governor meets victims' kin
Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Sunday (May 4, 2025) visited the families of those who died in a stampede in north Goa's Shirgao village in Bicholim taluk, where tens of thousands of devotees had thronged to participate in the annual 'Lairai Jatra' at the Shree Lairai Devi temple. The Governor met the families of Sagar Shivkumar Nandadurgi (31) from Pilgaon in Bicholim, and Surya Pandurang Nayekar (62) from Khalapwada, Podocem, Sattari tehsil. #WATCH | Shirgaon Jatra stampede | Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai says, "...6 people lost their lives and 80 people were injured. For the first time in the history of Goa, such a type of stampede has happened. PM Modi and all others are shocked. We conveyed the condolences of… — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 The four others who died in the tragic incident were Yeshwant Prabhakar Kerkar (33) from Madel, Thivim; Aditya Ankush Kauthankar (16) and Tanuja Shyamsundar Kauthankar (51), both from Avchit Wado, Thivim; and Pratibha Laxman Kalangutkar (54) from Tilu Kankonkar, Mangado, Corlim. 'This incident is beyond human expectation. State and Central governments are trying their best to help the victims. The State government has already announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the kin of those who died, and if something more is required, it will be done,' the Governor told media persons. Also read: Goa stampede: Minor incident happened at same site during last year's fest, says official Nandadurgi's 60-year-old mother, Sonia Nandadurgi, has not eaten since she heard of the death of her son. 'My only son, why did this happen to him?' she cried, seeing the Governor at her home, along with police officials and medical staff. 'Sagar lost his father when he was a child and since then, my sister has been living here. Only two years ago, he got a job in a bank's loan recovery department. Last year, he plastered the house. He has been a dhond (devotees of the deity, Laira Devi, who perform austerities before the yatra) for the last two years. He left home at 5.30 p.m. in a bus that goes to the temple, along with six of his friends. When the other dhonds pushed from behind, he fell on the road. Over 25 people fell on him and walked over him. He couldn't survive. Since he was the only working person in the family, there is no financial support for my sister anymore. We have read in the newspapers that the government has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of those who died but when the officials visited us, they did not mention anything about it,' Sagar's maternal uncle, Sainath Kavlekar (45), who lives next door, said. The Goa Government has formed a fact-finding committee headed by Commissioner-cum-Revenue Secretary Sandeep Jacques, who is expected to submit a report in a couple of days. A police official said that the committee is currently recording the statements of senior officials in-charge of crowd management to understand what went wrong. The committee learnt that a similar incident occurred last year, but did not result in fatalities or injuries. 'The slope is a narrow road and with stalls on both sides, and the area becomes even narrower. The committee is investigating why, despite being aware of the situation, precautions were not taken. Why did the temple committee allow stalls to be put up on both sides of the road leading to the temple. We are also examining whether a fight had broken between two groups of dhonds or a stick touched the bulb of a shop on the road, causing a short circuit, and some fell down and died on the spot,' the official said. 'Why is the temple committee being blamed for an incident that happened at least a kilometre away from the temple premises? It was an unfortunate accident that happened which no one could imagine would ever occur. We are being questioned on preparedness. It is unfair,' Dinanath Gaonkar, president of the Shree Lairai Devi Temple Committee said. Opinion: The science is clear, crowd disasters are preventable On Sunday (May 4, 2025), the Congress MP from south Goa, Viriato Fernandes, was criticised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his felicitation, with a shawl and flowers, by the temple committee. BJP spokesperson Giriraj Pai Vernekar called it 'a shameful act', especially when the State was mourning the tragic loss of lives. Goa is observing a three-day period of mourning, from May 3 to May 5, over the tragic loss of lives. 'No government event will take place till Monday (May 5, 2025),' the official said. On Saturday (May 3, 2025) night, the Governor visited the injured persons admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: May 4, 2025
India freezes imports from Pakistan, suspends postal links India announced a freeze on imports from Pakistan on Saturday (May 3, 2025) prohibiting the 'direct or indirect' import of all goods 'originating in or exported by Pakistan'. The Indian government also suspended all postal links with Pakistan, and announced that ships bearing the national flag of Pakistan will not be allowed to dock in Indian ports. Stampede at Goa temple: Seven killed, 80 injured at Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao At least seven persons were killed and 80 people injured on Saturday (May 3, 2025) in a stampede in North Goa's Shirgao village in Bicholim taluka, where lakhs of devotees thronged to participate in the annual 'Lairai Jatra' at Shree Lairai Devi Temple. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry, even as he held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who assured support to the State government. Pakistani Ranger apprehended by BSF from international border in Rajasthan A Pakistani Ranger has been apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) from along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan, official sources said on Saturday (May 3, 2025). The development comes nearly a fortnight after a BSF jawan was apprehended by the Rangers amid rising tension between the two countries in the wake of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Consider Constitutional options to prevent spillover of Murshidabad violence: Bengal Guv to Centre Fearing a spillover of the Murshidabad violence to other districts of West Bengal, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has suggested that the Centre consider 'constitutional options not only to put a check on the current situation but also to generate confidence of people in the rule of law'. Two Americans detained at Mizoram airport, sent back to Delhi Two American nationals were detained at the Lengpui airport in Mizoram's Aizawal on May 2 and were sent back to Delhi on Saturday. The two had arrived in Mizoram as they wanted to visit the refugee camps of the Bawm community, a senior government official told The Hindu on Saturday. New Delhi's plan to ask IMF to review Pak. loans is politically motivated: Islamabad Ahead of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) crucial review meeting next week, Pakistan has termed 'politically motivated' India's announcement that it will request the global lender to review Islamabad's financial support programme after the Pahalgam terror attack. Caste census: Tejashwi writes to PM Modi, demands reservation in private sector and judiciary Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and put forward several demands to be included in the caste enumeration including reservation in the private sector. 'Will you act now?' Congress asks SEBI over insider trading charge against Adani nephew The Congress on Saturday (May 3, 2025) wondered whether market regulator SEBI would prosecute Gautam Adani's nephew who has been accused sharing insider data. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the people of India are still waiting for SEBI to complete the investigation into Adani's violation of 24 counts of securities laws. CRPF constable dismissed from service for 'concealing marriage' to Pakistani woman The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Saturday said that a constable has been dismissed from service for 'concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national'. The CRPF said that 'in a matter of serious concern', constable Munir Ahmed of the CRPF's 41 Battalion had been dismissed from service with immediate effect for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national, and knowingly harbouring her in India beyond the period of validity of her visa. One judge for 18.7 lakh people: vacancy, pendency crises plague High Courts In a rare and candid observation, the Delhi High Court last week cited the 'acute shortage of judges' as a key reason for its inability to hear all cases listed in its daily cause list. The comment serves as a sobering reminder of the systemic challenges confronting the judiciary. At The Huddle, players from three generations to take the field for women's cricket in India Over the years, women's cricket has become extremely popular in India. With pay parity, and the introduction of the Women's Premier League, the game has been one of the major highlights of the women sports' growth story in the country. Rafale-M once inducted, will ensure full fighter strength on both aircraft carriers The Rafale-M fighter jets, 26 of which were contracted last week, once inducted from the second quarter of 2028 onwards, will enable the Indian Navy to field both its aircraft carriers with the full complement of their fighters. However, the jet as well as the flight deck of the carrier would need slight modifications for the Rafale-M to be able to fit on the lifts and for optimal performance.
