Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh – A devastating stampede occurred on Tuesday at the ‘Nirvana Laddu Parv,’ a Jain festival honoring Bhagwan Adinath, the first Tirthankara in Jainism, in Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh. The incident, triggered by the collapse of a makeshift stage, resulted in the deaths of at least five people and left over 60 others injured, including Jain disciples and police personnel.
The collapse of the ‘machaan’ (temporary platform) during the event caused chaos and panic among the devotees, leading to a stampede. Rescue operations were immediately launched to assist those trapped under the debris. Authorities confirmed that several injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals, with some in critical condition.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and directed local district officials to provide immediate relief to the injured. He also wished for the speedy recovery of those affected by the tragedy. Baghpat District Magistrate Asmita Lal and Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya visited the district hospital to assess the situation and oversee the treatment of the injured.
While five fatalities have been confirmed, officials suspect two additional deaths, though these have not yet been officially verified. According to SP Arpit Vijayvargiya, approximately 20-25 people sustained injuries, with 2-3 in serious condition. Many others with minor injuries received first aid and were discharged.
This incident follows another tragic stampede earlier this month near the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, where six people lost their lives and 35 were injured. The recurring nature of such incidents has raised concerns about crowd management and safety measures at large religious gatherings across the country.
Authorities have vowed to investigate the cause of the stage collapse and ensure better safety protocols for future events. The Jain community, meanwhile, mourns the loss of lives and prays for the recovery of the injured.
As the nation grapples with these tragedies, questions about the adequacy of emergency preparedness and crowd control at mass gatherings remain unanswered. The need for stricter regulations and improved infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future has become increasingly urgent.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
