A tragic stampede at a spiritual gathering in India’s Hathras district has left at least 121 people dead, most of them from poor communities. The incident occurred as thousands of women were leaving after a devotional event led by revered guru Narayan Sakar Hari. Panic ensued as people pushed and shoved to exit the crowded tent, resulting in bodies piling up and many being injured.
Families of the victims spent a harrowing night searching for the remains of their loved ones in various hospitals in the area. The Bagla Combined District Hospital was filled with bodies laid on ice slabs, bearing marks of the stampede. The hospital corridors were covered in mud and slush as distraught relatives gathered to identify the deceased.
The tragic event has devastated the families of the victims, many of whom had come to the gathering seeking spiritual guidance and healing. One woman, Hans Kumari, recounted her ordeal of wading through a pile of bodies to escape the chaos. Others, like Saudan Singh, mourned the loss of loved ones, including children who perished in the stampede.
The guru, known as Bhole Baba, had attracted a large following, particularly women from the marginalized Dalit community. Villagers described him as an icon who provided hope and guidance to those who sought solace and healing. The gathering, filled with devotees from various parts of the state, ended in tragedy as the rush to leave turned into a deadly stampede.
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