Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has voiced strong criticism against the Uttar Pradesh government following the tragic stampede in Hathras that resulted in the deaths of 121 people. On Saturday, Yadav accused the state government of attempting to obscure its administrative failures by making insignificant arrests instead of addressing the root causes of the incident. His comments were made public through a post on the social media platform ‘X’, where he also shared a letter from Ankit Yadav, a resident of Mainpuri district, alleging that his father has been wrongfully implicated in the stampede.

Akhilesh Yadav

In his post on ‘X’, Yadav expressed concern that such tragic events will persist as long as the state government fails to learn from its past mistakes. He argued that the arrests made in connection with the stampede appear to be an attempt to shift blame and evade accountability for the deaths. According to Yadav, these actions indicate a lack of genuine effort to understand and rectify the administrative lapses that contributed to the disaster.

Yadav emphasized that the arrests being made by the government are not targeting the true culprits but rather individuals who were not directly involved in the incident. He called for an immediate judicial inquiry into these arrests to expose what he perceives as a politically motivated attempt by the BJP-led government to mislead the public. Yadav further argued that if the government claims to have no involvement in the event, it should not remain in power.

Highlighting the socio-economic backgrounds of many of the attendees at the event, Yadav underscored that the victims were largely from marginalized and disadvantaged communities. He criticized the government for its apparent disregard for these vulnerable groups, stating that the administration’s primary concern should be the welfare of the poor and oppressed.

The Uttar Pradesh government has responded by forming a three-member judicial commission, led by a retired high court judge, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. This commission will also explore the possibility of a conspiracy behind the incident. So far, police have arrested six members of the organizing committee of the ‘satsang’ held on July 2 in Fulrai village, Hathras. These individuals, referred to as ‘sevadars’, were responsible for organizing the event where the stampede occurred.

Devprakash Madhukar, identified as the main accused and the ‘mukhya sevadar’ of the event, surrendered to the Uttar Pradesh Police in Delhi. Madhukar is the only person officially named in the FIR lodged at Sikandra Rao Police Station in connection with the incident.

Akhilesh Yadav’s accusations bring to light the broader political and administrative challenges facing Uttar Pradesh in the wake of this tragedy. The incident has sparked a debate over the adequacy of the government’s response to large gatherings and the measures in place to ensure public safety. Critics argue that focusing on minor arrests does not address the systemic issues that led to the disaster.

The judicial commission’s findings will be pivotal in determining accountability and ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families. As the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh continues to evolve, the handling of this incident could have significant implications for the upcoming electoral contests. The primary concern remains providing justice for the victims and implementing effective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Bihar government recently suspended 16 engineers following a series of bridge collapses in the state, according to a senior official. This decision came after a probe panel submitted its findings to the Water Resources Department (WRD). Chaitanya Prasad, the Additional Chief Secretary of the WRD, emphasized the seriousness with which the government is treating these incidents and the commitment to holding negligent officials accountable.

Bihar bridge collapse

Prasad indicated that the contractors responsible for the faulty bridges are being identified and will face consequences. “Such serious lapses can’t be ignored and those found guilty will not be spared, whosoever they may be,” he asserted.

In addition to the suspensions, explanations have been requested from two other engineers, and the roles of several executive engineers are under scrutiny. “The role of some executing contractors is being verified,” sources within the department revealed.

The action was prompted by the collapse of the 10th bridge in Saran district, marking the third such incident within 24 hours. Reports of bridge collapses have emerged from various districts including Saran, Siwan, Araria, Madhubani, East Champaran, and Kishanganj.

A senior executive engineer, referring to the probe report, noted that six of the collapsed bridges were very old, three were under construction, and one was a small bridge. The flying squad’s report highlighted a lack of precautionary measures and insufficient technical supervision by the engineers responsible for these structures.

The government’s response was catalyzed by a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on July 3, where maintenance policies for bridges and culverts were discussed. During the meeting, it was revealed that the Road Construction Department had already developed a maintenance policy, while the Rural Works Department was yet to initiate such efforts. CM Nitish Kumar instructed the Rural Works Department to commence work on this policy immediately.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav demanded explanations for the recent spate of bridge collapses, claiming that 12 bridges have fallen in Bihar since June 18. He criticized both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for their silence on the issue, questioning the claims of good governance and a corruption-free administration in Bihar.

Yadav’s statements highlight the political ramifications of these infrastructure failures, suggesting widespread corruption within the state government. He noted that his tenure as deputy CM was brief compared to the long period under a JD(U) minister, further implicating the ruling party in these lapses.

The recent bridge collapses have raised urgent concerns about infrastructure quality and governance in Bihar. While the suspension of 16 engineers sends a strong message about accountability, it also points to deeper systemic issues. The involvement of senior engineers and contractors in these failures suggests that the problems may extend beyond mere negligence to include potential corruption and mismanagement.

The WRD’s probe has underscored significant flaws in the construction and maintenance processes. The absence of technical oversight and failure to implement necessary safety measures are particularly alarming. These incidents demonstrate an urgent need for rigorous supervision and stronger accountability mechanisms in Bihar’s infrastructure projects.

The government’s swift action following the review meeting with CM Nitish Kumar signals a commitment to addressing these issues, but the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. The political fallout, with opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav vocalizing criticisms, adds pressure on the administration to deliver tangible improvements.

Future infrastructure development in Bihar hinges on the government’s ability to enforce comprehensive reforms and maintain strict oversight. The suspension of engineers is a critical first step, but sustainable solutions will require addressing corruption, ensuring contractor accountability, and setting enforceable construction and maintenance standards.

In summary, the Bihar government’s suspension of 16 engineers following a series of bridge collapses highlights significant challenges in the state’s infrastructure management. While the move indicates a commitment to accountability, it also underscores the need for broader reforms and rigorous oversight. The political and public scrutiny following these incidents emphasizes the necessity for transparency, effective governance, and sustainable infrastructure practices to prevent future failures.

In a tragic turn of events, the self-styled godman Narayan Saakar Hari, commonly known as ‘Bhole Baba,’ conducted a ‘Satsang Sabha’ that resulted in the deaths of 121 individuals due to a stampede. This horrifying incident took place in Phulrai village, under Sikandrau tehsil of Hathras district. As of now, Bhole Baba remains elusive despite an intense manhunt launched by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

121 dead at Bhole Baba’s event in Hathras.

Hathras Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sunil Kumar, reported that Bhole Baba has not yet been apprehended. The police have been actively searching for him since the tragic night. They even raided the Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district, hoping to find him. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain. “We did not find Baba ji inside the campus…He is not here,” said Sunil Kumar.

Photographs of Bhole Baba with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have surfaced on social media, adding to the controversy. Bhole Baba is known to have a sprawling ashram in Mainpuri, the native district of the SP chief. This connection has raised several eyebrows and added a political dimension to the incident.

Anupam Kulshreshtha, the Additional Director General (ADG) of Agra Zone, disclosed that special operations group (SoG) teams from seven districts under the Agra zone have been assigned the task of apprehending the organizers of the event. Kulshreshtha mentioned, “We are moving in a systematic manner, first we will catch the organizers of the event and then as the probe progresses, names of others will be added to the FIR.” This indicates a phased approach in dealing with those responsible for the catastrophe.

Late on Tuesday night, an FIR was registered against Bhole Baba’s chief disciple, Devprakash Madhukar, and several unnamed organizers. Curiously, Bhole Baba’s name was not mentioned in the FIR. The charges include Sections 105, 110, 126(a), 223, and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS). The FIR notes that over 2.5 lakh people attended the Satsang, despite permission being granted for only 80,000 attendees.

The FIR also accuses Bhole Baba’s bodyguards of exacerbating the situation. The bodyguards allegedly obstructed devotees who were rushing to receive blessings, causing them to fall into a ditch, which led to the tragic loss of lives. Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh confirmed that overcrowding was a significant factor in the disaster.

An initial investigation report by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has also come to light. The SDM had given permission for a gathering of 80,000 people in Phulrai village, which is approximately 47 km from Hathras city. However, over 2.5 lakh people ended up attending the event. The report holds Bhole Baba’s personal security guards responsible for the stampede.

According to the SDM’s report, the excessive crowd of devotees gathered in the pandal during the Satsang. After the event, when devotees rushed towards Bhole Baba’s convoy to receive blessings, his security personnel and disciples began pushing them away. This created chaos as Baba’s convoy reached the main road.

The report further details that Bhole Baba left the pandal around 1.40 pm, leaving a massive crowd stranded on the road linked to National Highway-91. The commandos’ efforts to manage the crowd resulted in people falling into a narrow slope, causing a deadly stampede. The area, already slippery due to rain and mud, became a death trap as devotees, mainly women, slipped into the furrow, leading to suffocation and death.

By the time rescue efforts began, many had already succumbed to their injuries. Among the victims, 89 were declared “brought dead” at a local hospital in Sikandrarau, while 27 others died en route to Etah. The death toll, initially reported as 116, was later revised to 121 on Wednesday morning.

Amidst the commotion, Bhole Baba, originally known as Suraj Pal and a former constable in the UP police, managed to escape along with his disciples and security personnel. The police continue their efforts to bring those responsible to justice, but the tragic loss of 121 lives remains a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of mismanaged events.