We are very proud that at present India is the number one country in the world by surpassing China in terms of population. Of course, the population of 142 crore is surprising from the economic point of view, but from the point of view of discipline, it creates panic. The accident that happened in the Durga Puja pandal in Chorbagan, Kolkata, is a matter of concern. It was the evening of the puja, there was excitement for worship. Due to mismanagement, confusing announcements started coming, and in no time, the excitement of worship turned into mourning. 19 people died and dozens were injured. A state minister said that such incidents happen sometimes. This is a country of crowded people who love festivals. This is a country full of faith, but also of people who believe in hearsay and news. The consequences are sometimes so tragic that they become unbearable. The Kolkata incident involved some unruly individuals, seven of whom were arrested. Durga Puja is the hallmark of West Bengal. Durga Puja is celebrated at approximately 58,000 locations here. Millions of people visit these pandals every year to worship Goddess Durga. In such a situation, the possibility of an accident cannot be attributed to the occasional event. Next year, the Ardha Kumbh is scheduled to be held in Haridwar. The last time the Maha Kumbh was held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the Kumbh had fulfilled its responsibility well and that the Kumbh had been successfully completed with very few accidents. But why do stampedes keep happening in the country? Whether they occur at religious sites or railway stations, the main reason is administrative negligence. After accidents, the unfortunate victims receive little more than a mere handout. In West Bengal, a compensation of 2.5 million rupees and a job for one member has been announced for the families of each deceased, while the injured will receive 500,000 rupees. But is this enough? Why doesn’t anyone ask why, when a festival is about to take place, adequate arrangements are not made based on accurate estimates of the number of people expected to gather? Unfortunately, why aren’t security arrangements made in advance, anticipating the possibility of crowds becoming uncontrollable? Why aren’t those responsible for organizing events held accountable? Why aren’t those responsible for organizing events immediately punished after an accident occurs? The holy days of festivals are currently underway. On Saturday, an accident occurred at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior. A crowd of devotees was present. A speeding truck lost control and plowed into the crowd, killing 15 and injuring 25. Are accidents and indiscipline necessarily linked to crowds? On Sunday, in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, a speeding car ran over devotees watching a video outside a puja pandal. Three people were killed and four others injured. These accidents are the result of indiscipline and violation of rules. Accidents occur frequently, and people die; we cannot attribute them to “occasional” accidents. The administration must be vigilant and get to the root of the errors to prevent such accidents from happening again. To do this, a concrete policy must be formulated and the pace of action must be accelerated. The victims of the tragedy cannot be appeased by announcements of grants and compensation.
Riots, Stampedes and Deaths
