A devastating stampede at a satsang in Hathras district on Tuesday afternoon has resulted in 121 fatalities. Multiple theories have emerged regarding the cause of the tragic event, which has left the community in shock.One eyewitness suggested that the rush among Bhole Babas followers to collect “raj” (dust) from the ground where the preachers vehicle had passed led to the stampede. Baba had left after addressing the satsang for over one-and-a-half hours on Tuesday. The followers raced to have raj but slipped because of slippery ground and fell on each other, leading to the stampede, said the eyewitness.Official Statements and Overcrowding ConcernsBy the end of the day, officials in Lucknow, through a press note shared by the state government media cell, confirmed that thousands of devotees had gathered for the event featuring Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Saakar Hari. The number of attendees exceeded the administrations permitted limit, causing the deadly stampede at the satsang in Fulrai village, about 50 kilometers from Hathras district headquarters.Inspector General of Police (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur commented, The exact reasons are yet to be determined, but initial reports suggest that it was the closed enclosure of the tent and prima facie it seems that suffocation led to discomfort for those there, causing them to run and resulting in the stampede.Competing Theories and Survivor AccountsVarious other explanations for the stampede have also been reported. Another eyewitness mentioned that followers were preparing to leave the venue but were halted when Bhole Babas convoy departed. Once they were allowed to leave, the crowd pressure became unbearable in the hot and humid weather, leading to suffocation and causing the stampede, the eyewitness explained.Jyoti, a survivor, shared her harrowing experience: There was a huge crowd of followers. It all happened when the satsang ended, and everyone was in a hurry to leave the enclosure. There was no way out, and everybody fell on each other. I tried to move out but found motorcycles parked outside, blocking the way. Many fainted while others died.Aftermath and Emergency ResponseIn the chaotic aftermath, attendees ran towards a nearby farm area, but the wet soil from recent rains caused some to slip and fall, worsening the situation as others trampled over them. The gathering, estimated to be around a lakh, saw vehicles such as buses, bikes, and auto-rickshaws parked along a three-kilometer stretch on the national highway, further complicating evacuation efforts.Authorities continue to investigate the exact causes of the stampede as they work to prevent such tragedies in the future.
