Tirupati Stampede Tragedy

Tirupati :-The recent stampede at the famous Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh has triggered intense criticism towards the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management and the state government led by Chandrababu Naidu. The deadly incident on Wednesday, which left six people dead, has sparked widespread public outrage over the mishandling of the crowd during one of the most significant religious festivals, Vaikunta Ekadasi. While the TTD and government officials are facing the brunt of the blame, an FIR filed by the Tirupati police suggests that the cause of the disaster lies with the chaotic crowd.

In a report based on a complaint from Narayanavanam Mandal tahsildar, M. Jayaramulu, the police invoked Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with “affray” – a situation where a violent disturbance in a public place occurs due to the actions of two or more people. The tahsildar’s complaint stated that the victims were at Sri Padmavathi Park, waiting for their turn to collect tokens for the temple’s darshan, when a sudden rush of devotees led to people tripping and falling. The stampede resulted in several casualties, and the victims were rushed to hospitals, where they were declared dead.

The two FIRs lodged in relation to the incident include one concerning the deaths of Kandipilli Santhi, Guddla Rajini, B. Babu Naidu, Surisetty Lavanya Swathi, and Nirmala. The second FIR was filed after the death of R. Malliga, a woman from Tamil Nadu, who was later identified. The complaint from the tahsildar, however, places the blame squarely on the crowd’s behavior, sparking further debate on accountability.

Former Andhra Pradesh minister and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party leader Velampalli Srinivasa Rao referred to the incident as a “black” day in the history of the TTD, which is typically known for its efficient crowd management. His comments reflect the frustration over the temple’s inability to control the massive turnout, especially during a high-profile event like Vaikunta Ekadasi, which attracts thousands of devotees annually.

Relatives of the deceased have expressed their anger, highlighting the lack of proper crowd control measures and emergency response. Jaya, whose husband B. Babu Naidu died in the incident, recounted her own harrowing experience of falling during the stampede but narrowly escaping serious injury after a stranger pushed her aside. “Someone should take responsibility. The authorities – be it the police, TTD officials, or the state government – must ensure the safety of devotees,” she said, visibly distraught. Jaya emphasized that her late husband had always visited the temple with faith and devotion, and no one should ever experience such a traumatic situation again.

Venkatesh, who lost his wife Santhi in the stampede, blamed the police for their failure in managing the crowd. He stated that a sudden gate opening led to a rush of people from behind, causing those at the front to fall and trample each other. “The authorities failed us, and my wife was one of the victims,” he said, echoing the sentiment that the incident could have been prevented with better planning and execution.

In response to the tragedy, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and TTD Executive Officer J. Syamala Rao visited the victims’ families, but their efforts were met with criticism from those affected by the disaster. The state government, recognizing the gravity of the incident, announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased, but many feel that monetary compensation alone cannot erase the pain and suffering caused by this avoidable tragedy.

While the police investigation is ongoing, it remains to be seen whether the authorities will take responsibility for the tragedy. The incident has highlighted the challenges in managing large crowds at religious events, especially in a temple as revered as Tirupati, and it raises serious questions about the preparedness of the TTD and the state government to handle such a large congregation during peak festivals. Many devotees and families of the deceased are demanding reforms and stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

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