A stampede at a religious congregation in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras killed over 120 people on July 2 as devotees suffocated to their deaths and bodies piled atop each other in the worst such tragedy in recent years. The stampede took place as people headed home after a ‘satsang’ in the district’s Phulrai village, conducted by a preacher known as ‘Bhole Baba’.
The spiritual preacher Suraj Pal, popularly addressed as ‘Narayan Sakar Hari’ or ‘Bhole Baba’, hails from Bahadur Nagar village in the Patiyali tehsil of Kasganj district in Uttar Pradesh.
His followers come from many places in the western and central parts of the State and neighbouring States, and prominent political leaders have also been seen in his programmes. Local sources said Mr. Pal had been a constable with the Uttar Pradesh Police until the 1990s in the local intelligence unit when he turned to spirituality, adopted a new name, and started giving public sermons about leading a pious life. He described himself as a disciple of Narayan Sakar Hari and asked his followers to find the Almighty within.
Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has directed district officials to ensure the injured are hospitalized promptly and to expedite relief efforts. In a post on X, his office stated that the chief minister has also ordered a thorough probe into the incident to determine the underlying causes and prevent such tragedies in the future.
District Magistrate (DM) Ashish Kumar reported that the district administration is actively investigating the matter, with ongoing efforts to recover and assist the injured.
