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India Gazette
30-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
When will this VIP syndrome in public events cease?: Randeep Surjewala hits out at Odisha government over Puri stampede
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 30 (ANI): Congress MP Randeep Surjewala slammed the BJP government over the issue of the Jagannath Puri stampede and asked when the 'VIP syndrome' in the country will cease. Expressing his condolences towards the victims of the Puri stampede, the Congress MP stated that during the Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrations, there was a 'blockage' of entry for the devotees on account of 'VIP' entry. Three people lost their lives in the Gundicha temple stampede on Sunday; meanwhile, several were left injured. The Odisha government have ordered a probe into the matter and has announced financial help of Rs 25 lakh for the victims of the stampede. 'First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt condolences to every family of devotees who have lost their loved ones in the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri... Various facts have been brought out in the media. It seems that there was a blockage of the entry on account of a VIP entry. ', Randeep Surjewala told reporters in Bengaluru. Referring to the criticism by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders over the Bengaluru stampede, Randeep Surjewala stressed that the BJP must ask about the Bengaluru stampede, as there needs to be a 'fixation' of accountability, which the Karnataka government has not done. He stated that every life in the country is 'important' and the incident cannot be considered as 'your tragedy versus my tragedy syndrome', Surjewala said. The Congress leader mentioned that 'lessons' shall be learned from the previous stampede incidents and steps should be taken in order to avoid such incidents in the future. Surjewala suggested that every state should set up a State Crowd Safety Task Force, out of which 50 per cent should be contributed by the Union Government for its formation. 'I have suggested today that we must learn lessons from the 3 tragedies and take steps in order to ensure no such tragedy ever takes place. The first step is setting up a State Crowd Safety Task Force. Every state must have an SCSTF, and the government of India must contribute 50% of the cost of setting up such a task force', the Congress leader said. He mentioned that the task force must comprise police, home guards, the disaster management authority, local bodies, and organisers. The Congress leader informed that he has raised the issue in front of the Karnataka CM and suggested that the Union Government must take note following the Puri Rath Yatra tragedy. 'These are some of the issues that I proposed to raise with the Karnataka CM and the government of Karnataka to put in place. The government of India, PM Modi, Union HM Amit Shah should now take note post the tragedy of the Puri Rath Yatra and put in place these protocols and commit to finances for every state for a crowd management state-level task force', he said. (ANI)
United News of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Kharge expresses grief over Puri Rath Yatra stampede, calls for accountability
New Delhi, June 29 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge today expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede that occurred during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed the lives of three devotees and left many injured. In a post on X, Kharge conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He termed the incident as a result of 'negligence and mismanagement,' calling it 'inexcusable.' 'I am deeply pained by the stampede during the Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed three lives and injured at least 50 people. This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra," Kharge said. He said, "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured devotees. The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable". Calling for a full and transparent probe into the incidents leading to the stampede, Kharge urged the state government and authorities to hold those responsible accountable under the law. The Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition said, "The State Government and authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the grave lapses that caused this incident. Ensuring public safety and effective crowd management is paramount, especially during pre-planned festivities. Those responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable under the law". He also affirmed the Congress party's solidarity with the devotees and assured support for all efforts aimed at providing relief, medical care, and aid to the affected families. "The Congress Party stands in solidarity with the devotees and commits to supporting all efforts to provide relief, medical assistance, and aid to the affected families," he added. As many as three devotees died and at least fifty others injured in a stampede near Sri Gundicha Temple in Odisha's Puri during Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra today. The incident occurred around 4 AM when a large number of devotees surged towards Saradhabali to have darshan of the deities on their respective chariots. UNI RBE GNK 1804
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP leader Baijayant Panda express grief on Puri stampede, says incident
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader Baijayant Panda on Sunday expressed grief over the Puri stampede and mourned the death of devotees in the incident. Condoling on the incident, Baijayant Panda said that it is a 'sad thing' as 10 to 15 lakh devotees gather for the Rath Yatra. He mentioned that the incident happened despite taking all the precautions. 'This is a sad thing. 10-15 lakh people gather for Rath Yatra, which is a huge crowd. This has happened after taking all precautions. All steps are being taken. I express my condolences', Baijayant Panda told ANI. Earlier, the BJP leader shared a post on his official 'X' handle following the Puri stampede. Baijayant Panda expressed his sadness over the incident and prayed for the family members of the victims that they get the 'patience and courage' to bear the pain for their loss. 'Hearing the news of devotees being injured and killed in a stampede near the Puri Shri Gundicha Temple this morning, I am deeply saddened and heartbroken. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and extend my condolences to the grieving families. In this time of sorrow, may Lord Shri Jagannath grant them patience and courage', the 'X' post read. Earlier, Biju Janata Dal chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday extended his condolences to the victims of the 'devastating incident' that took place early this morning during the Jagannath Rath Yatra near the Gundicha Temple in Puri. Talking to 'X', Patnaik prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the stampede. Odisha law minister Prithviraj Harichandan earlier today told ANI that three people died and at least six people sustained injuries near the Gundicha Temple during the ongoing Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri. Speaking to ANI over the phone, Odisha Minister said, 'It is an unfortunate incident. We are taking note of that. I spoke with the CM this morning. We are taking stringent action. DGP has been sent to the spot. Three people have passed away because of suffocation in the huge gathering. Six to seven people are injured. I am moving to Puri. I am monitoring the situation over the phone. We are trying our best to manage the crowd. Additional police have been deployed. The reasons for the incident are being investigated,' Harichandan said. 'The situation is now under control and the people are having darshan...', he said. Meanwhile, Odisha DGP YB Khurania has reached the Gudicha Temple to assess the situation. (ANI)
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Row over sound system disrupts Rath Yatra
1 2 Kanpur: Following a dispute between police and organisers regarding the use of sound system, the historic and religious Rath Yatra could not commence on Friday. The Panki Mahant announced that he would self-immolate if the sub-inspector of Naya Ganj police outpost was not suspended. On his appeal, the traders of Nayaganj and nearby markets closed their shops. Followers and political party volunteers sat on dharna at Nayaganj crossing in support of Mahant. According to Mahant Jitendra Das and Krishna Das of Jagannath temple, before the Rath Yatra could begin, police officials arrived and instructed that only two speakers should be used in the band. Organisers opposed this and during the conversation, police misbehaved with them. Kanpur Police commissionerate on Thursday had implemented the provisions of section 163 BNS . The provision states that the directions of Allahabad and Lucknow high court regarding the use of loud speaker should be followed in letter and spirit. Using more than 2 loud speakers with in the limits of police commissioneate will have to obtain prior permission . Meanwhile, supporters and volunteers gathered and raised anti-police slogans. When senior police officials tried to pacify them, the demand for the inspector's suspension was reiterated. In the meantime, SP MLA Amitabh Bajpai also arrived with his supporters and joined the agitators. The agitating crowd recited 'Hanuman Chalisa' and Panki Mahant appealed to traders to close the market. General secretary of the temple committee, Vivek Gupta alleged that Badshahi Naqa inspector had thrashed the sound system operator with a lathi and abused both him and Panki Mahant. Senior police officials also arrived at the spot and tried to convince Panki Mahant and others, but Mahant and his followers were adamant and clearly stated that if Badshahi Naqa sub-inspector was not suspended, Mahant would self-immolate at Naya Ganj crossing. Later, the station in-charge of Badshahi Naka was suspended. Deputy Commissioner of Police East, Satyajit Gupta, announced the resumption of the Shobha Yatra. "We immediately suspended the in-charge of Badshahi Naka police station. He was accused of misbehaving and using abusive language with the organisers of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra."
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
More than 23k cops to be deployed for Gujarat Rath Yatra; AI-based surveillance system to make debut
More than 23,000 security personnel will be deployed during the heavily-patronised Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on June 27, with the highlight being the deployment of an artificial intelligence-based surveillance system for the first time to prevent stampede-like situations, officials said on Thursday. The AI-based system would also notify police and the fire department in the event of a blaze and warn the police control room about overcrowding along the route, a Gujarat government release said. As per police, 14-15 lakh people are expected to attend the 148th edition of the Yatra. "Under the AI system, the visual analytics software at the police control room will receive live feeds from CCTV cameras and drones deployed on the route. The software will analyse the live feed to estimate the number of persons present at that particular spot and how many more are expected to arrive in a short period," the release said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo "Apart from AI, police will use drones for surveillance and Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled devices to track real time location of vehicles in the procession. Some 4500 personnel will walk with the procession on the entire route while 1931 personnel will be deployed for traffic management as several routes will be closed and there will be diversions," it added. A total of 23,884 security personnel, including local police, State Reserve Police (SRP), Chetak Commandos and Rapid Action Force, will be deployed along the route, while senior officials of the force will keep a watch on the procession using 2,872 body-worn cameras linked with the control room, the release said. Live Events It said 41 drones and 96 cameras have been installed at different locations and at 25 watch towers. Ahead of the 148th Rath Yatra, police had organised 177 meetings of peace committees, 235 meetings of mohalla committees, 57 meetings of women's committees as well as 21 meetings with various religious leaders with the aim of maintaining communal unity and harmony, the release informed. Traditionally, the procession, led by chariots, starts at 7am from the 400-year-old Lord Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area and returns to it by 8pm, with the 16-kilometre route including the old city, which has some communally sensitive areas. The procession usually has 18 elephants, 100 trucks, and 30 akhadas, while lakhs of people gather along the route, officials said, adding that the chariots of Lord Jagganath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra will be pulled by the Khalasi community as per an age-old tradition.
