Following the devastating stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, on July 2nd that resulted in 123 casualties, self-styled saint Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, has expressed distress over the incident. However, he noted that destiny is unavoidable, positing that what comes into this world must leave it eventually.
Bhole Baba validated the claim made by his lawyer S.P. Singh regarding the spraying of a toxic substance at the congregation site as the cause of the stampede and subsequent fatalities. 'The evidence provided by eyewitnesses about the poisonous spray is true. There's a conspiracy at play. People are set on defaming us, but we trust the ongoing investigation by the SIT,' he said. Since the tragedy, Bhole Baba has been missing.
The police investigation team has not yet been able to trace Baba's location, but recent developments in the 'new scandal' involving Narayan Hari have come to light. Following the incident, he announced assistance to the devotees affected by the stampede and pledged to take full responsibility for the families of the deceased. Yet, survivors state that they have neither met anyone from his organization nor received any help.
Bhole Baba has once again ensnared his followers with promises, as the kin of those who lost their lives wait in vain for the help that was promised by him. The family of a deceased individual, Chandraprabha, claims that no contact or assistance has been provided by Baba's organization, although the government sent the promised aid. A cheque of two lakh rupees has been received by the bereaved families.
Source: aajtak
Seventeen-year-old Khushboo attended the congregation with her family but never returned home alive. Her family accuses Narayan Hari of making false promises, as no assistance has been provided nor has any representative visited their home. Khushboo's father, Rajkumar, acknowledged receiving two lakh rupees from the government but affirmed that Baba has been of no help. The plight is the same for the families of Meera and Sudha, who attended the event to listen to Bhole Baba's sermon.
The government's handout of checks worth two lakhs each has reached the families, but no aid has been given by Narayan Hari. The families have lost their daughters forever. The bereaved families regret the decision that led them to the fatal event. Asha Devi's relatives share a similar pain, with her son alleging that not only did the Baba fall short, but politicians from all parties also failed to fulfill their promises of help.
The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member investigative committee for the incident. Preliminary findings reveal startling details, pointing to Bhole Baba's action as the cause of the stampede. Until 1:30 PM on July 2nd, everything was calm, with over two lakh devotees peacefully listening to the sermon. Typically, Baba's discourses last for up to two hours.
Source: aajtak
However, at 1:30 PM, overwhelmed by the sweltering heat and the thrice-beyond-capacity crowd, Bhole Baba truncated his sermon. The calm was disrupted when he suddenly announced that devotees could take dust from his feet. This prompted an immediate and rushed movement in the crowd, triggering one of the deadliest stampedes in recent times. The testimonies of those who were present depict the horror that ensued.
A judicial committee chaired by retired Judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastava and including retired IAS officers Hemant Rao and Bhavesh Kumar has started its investigation by examining eyewitness statements. This committee is obligated to submit its report within two months.
