Rahul Gandhi calls for impartial probe into Hathras sampede
Lucknow: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has called for an impartial investigation into the Hathras stampede incident to help identify the authorities’ lapses. The tragic incident claimed 121 people, predominantly women.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath concerning the tragic incident, advocating for a thorough and impartial investigation.
In his letter dated July 6 and posted on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi expressed deep concern over the tragic incident and emphasized the need for swift compensation to the victims’ families.
He shared his observations from his visit to Aligarh and Hathras, where he met with affected families and witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by the stampede.
Highlighting administrative lapses that may have contributed to the stampede, Gandhi stressed the importance of accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future. He criticized the authorities for allowing a gathering of 80,000 people, questioning how the event exceeded the permitted capacity and calling for action against those responsible for any negligence.
The stampede occurred during a Satsang led by Hindu guru Suraj Pal, also known as ‘Bhole Baba’, on the evening of July 02 in Hathras. Following the incident, an FIR was filed against event organizers, leading to the arrest of the main accused, event manager Dev Prakash Madhukar, along with six others.
In response to public outcry, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, chaired by Justice (retd) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The commission initiated its inquiry with a visit to Hathras on Saturday to gather facts and testimonies regarding the tragic event.
