The Perils Of Blind Faith: Lessons From Hathras

In India, a country rich in diverse beliefs and traditions, self-proclaimed godmen and women often wield significant influence, attracting vast followings.  This phenomenon is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, where faith in these individuals often supersedes reason, driven by a widespread mentality that views them as divine.  The devotion they inspire can sometimes lead to chaotic gatherings, where the fervor of their followers results in disorder, and at times, catastrophic consequences, due to scant regard for laws and safety regulations.

A tragic manifestation of this occurred in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, in July 2024, when a religious event organized by the popular spiritual leader Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, turned into a nightmare.  Despite official permissions being granted for a gathering of approximately 80,000 devotees, over 2.5 lakh people descended upon the venue.  The resulting stampede claimed the lives of 121 individuals, laying bare the dire consequences of inadequate crowd management and the failure to enforce public safety laws.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the incident submitted its report, highlighting overcrowding as the primary cause of the stampede; whereas, Bhole Baba alleges conspiracy and defamation of his practices.  This report led to the suspension of several local officials, including the Sub Divisional Magistrate and Circle Officer, for their failure to prevent the disaster.  Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, was initially absconding but was arrested on July 5, 2024, after a reward was announced for his capture.  He and the other organizers now face charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223, and 238.

Tragically, the loss of countless innocent devotees’ lives was the price paid for cognisance to be taken against the organizers’ ignorance and blatant disregard for the law.

The Hathras stampede has sparked widespread concern and highlighted the critical need for stricter enforcement of public safety laws in India.  However, this is not the first time that our nation has faced such an unfortunate incident.  The Mandhardevi temple (Maharashtra) stampede in 2005 claimed 340 lives, while the Chamunda Devi temple (Rajasthan) stampede in 2008 claimed 250 lives. In Rahul Jain v. Union of India (2014), the Supreme Court emphasized the need for adequate planning and preparedness by local authorities, installation of CCTV cameras, deployment of sufficient police personnel, and ensuring proper signage and public address systems for crowd guidance.  Similarly, after the Kumbh Mela stampede in 2013, the Allahabad High Court mandated the preparation of detailed crowd management plans and ensured medical facilities were on standby.  In the wake of this Hathras incident, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a thorough investigation into the matter and demanding the establishment of a high-level committee to investigate the incident.  However, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, stating that the High Courts could be approached and that “not everything has to come to the Supreme Court under Article 32.”

Despite existing laws, stampedes and similar disasters continue to recur due to mismanagement and a lack of accountability.  The Hathras incident stands out because both the organizers and local authorities are being held accountable for dereliction of their respective duties in ensuring public safety.  The precedents mentioned above, along with the Hathras tragedy, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive crowd management strategies and the implementation of stringent laws to prevent such tragedies in the future.  It is imperative that the concerned authorities take proactive steps to establish mandatory safety requisites before the organization of large public gatherings.  These measures will emphasize the importance of the responsibilities that come with organizing such events and the severe consequences of failing to meet those obligations.  By doing so, India can hope to avert similar disasters and protect the lives of its citizens.