Union Minister Nityanand Rai and Rahul Gandhi Respond to Hathras Stampede Tragedy

Union Minister Nityanand Rai announced that the Central government is assisting the Uttar Pradesh government in investigating the tragic stampede in Hathras, which resulted in 121 deaths. He emphasized the sensitivity of the incident and the thoroughness of the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited Hathras to meet with the families affected by the July 2 stampede. He also stopped in Aligarh to meet with other victims’ families. The stampede occurred during a religious ‘Satsang’ event in Fulari village, led by self-styled godman Suraj Pal, also known as ‘Bhole Baba’.

All 121 victims have been identified and their bodies handed over to their families. Uttar Pradesh Police conducted a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri for ‘Bhole Baba’, but he was not found. An FIR has been registered against the event organizers.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site and ordered a judicial probe. A three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, chaired by Justice (retd) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, will investigate the incident over the next two months and submit a report to the State Government. Initial reports suggest the stampede was triggered when devotees rushed to seek blessings and collect soil from around the preacher’s feet, but were stopped by his security personnel, leading to chaos.