Negligence and Chaos at Hindu Religious Gathering in Northern India

 Relatives of victims from the tragic crowd crush during a Hindu religious gathering in northern India have accused authorities of negligence, alleging that their loved ones were left to perish due to a severe shortage of medical staff and ambulances.

The incident occurred at a gathering attended by approximately 250,000 people, primarily devotees of the spiritual guru Bhole Baba, where over 120 individuals lost their lives in a stampede. The crush predominantly affected women and children in the women-only section of the venue, exacerbated by wet conditions.

Authorities have since arrested six individuals, including aides to Bhole Baba who were involved in organizing the event but fled when chaos erupted. Despite the permission for only 80,000 attendees, the crowd swelled to three times that number, leading to a chaotic and uncontrollable situation blamed on local organizers.

Accounts from victims' relatives and witnesses paint a grim picture of the aftermath, with families left to search through mud for the injured and deceased due to a lack of prompt medical assistance and proper ambulance services. Hari Singh, who found his wife unconscious amidst the chaos, criticized the absence of medical personnel and transportation, recounting the harrowing experience of carrying her to the hospital himself.

Many injured individuals reportedly languished unattended on hospital floors due to insufficient beds and medical staff, resulting in preventable deaths. Doctors and medical staff, overwhelmed by the sudden influx of casualties, struggled with inadequate resources and personnel to handle the crisis effectively.

Surya Prakash, the medical superintendent of the district hospital, acknowledged the hospital's unpreparedness for such a catastrophe, citing the difficulty in managing the panicked crowd and providing timely treatment.

Anuj Kumar, who assisted in transporting the injured to hospitals, described scenes of desperation with no ambulances available and inadequate medical attention upon arrival. He expressed frustration at the loss of lives that could have been prevented with better emergency response.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage among locals and calls for accountability, with many condemning the authorities for failing to prevent the disaster and adequately respond to the emergency.