Odisha CM Majhi apologized after a stampede near Puri Gundicha Temple claimed three lives. He ordered a probe into security lapses during the Rath Yatra. Police urged devotees to follow safety guidelines. The incident sparked public grief and raised questions on crowd management.
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede at Odisha’s sacred town of Puri that claimed three lives, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended a heartfelt apology to all devotees of Lord Jagannath. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday near the Saradhabali area close to the Gundicha Temple, during the Rath Yatra celebrations.
The Chief Minister took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to express his grief and apologize to the devotees. “Personally, I and my government seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees,” Majhi wrote. He also offered his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed to Lord Jagannath to give them strength in this moment of sorrow.
Majhi acknowledged that the chaos stemmed from the intense eagerness of devotees to have a glimpse of the Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath) at Saradhabali. “An unfortunate incident occurred because of the resulting jostling and chaos,” he stated. He described the negligence that led to the stampede as “unforgivable” and confirmed that an immediate investigation had been ordered into the security lapses. He assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
The tragic incident happened between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., when a large crowd surged toward the cordoned area following the ceremonial closing of Darshan (Pahuda). The situation escalated rapidly as hundreds of devotees rushed forward to get a glimpse of the deities during the early morning Darshan, leading to a stampede.
Three devotees tragically lost their lives in the chaos: Pravati Das, Premkant Mohanty, and Basanti Sahoo. In addition, six others were injured and are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain informed the media that around nine people had complained of breathlessness and were quickly evacuated and taken to the hospital.
Director General of Police, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, also addressed the situation, appealing to devotees to follow police instructions during the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities. He particularly requested the public to refrain from taking photos or videos during Darshan, as such actions cause obstructions and inconvenience to others. “Devotees are seen taking photos from their mobile phones while standing in the crowd, which causes trouble. They should cooperate with the police,” he emphasized.
Khurania further confirmed that a formal probe into the incident had already been launched and that necessary corrective measures were being implemented to ensure such tragedies do not recur in the future.
The Odisha government has come under sharp scrutiny from citizens, media, and opposition parties following the incident, raising concerns over crowd management and the adequacy of security arrangements during one of the largest religious gatherings in the state.
The Rath Yatra is an annual event that draws lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad. The Gundicha Temple, where the Lord Jagannath deities are temporarily housed during the festival, becomes the focal point of immense spiritual and emotional importance. However, the overwhelming turnout also poses significant challenges in crowd control, safety, and emergency response.
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With public emotions running high and the festival still underway, CM Majhi’s public apology marks a significant political and moral acknowledgment of the administration’s shortcomings. His commitment to take “exemplary action” against those responsible and the initiation of an immediate probe underscores the gravity with which the state is treating the incident.
As Odisha mourns the loss of three innocent lives during what should have been a purely spiritual event, the focus now shifts to ensuring that proper safety protocols are in place for the remaining days of the Rath Yatra. The government’s response in the coming days will be closely watched, both by the grieving families and by the millions who look to Puri as the spiritual heart of Odisha.
