Following the stampede at a religious event in Phulrai village in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh police are searching for 'Bhole Baba' who organized the event. A search operation was conducted at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust, but the Baba was not found. Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has stated that overcrowding was a major factor in the stampede.
Hathras Stampede: Bhole Baba Goes Missing After Deadly Stampede
On the evening of October 2, 2022, tragedy struck Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, as a stampede at a religious event claimed the lives of more than 20 people. The stampede occurred at a temple dedicated to Maa Bhagwati in Phulrai village, where thousands of devotees had gathered for the annual "Navratri Mela."
Background Information
The "Navratri Mela" is a nine-day festival celebrated in honor of the Hindu goddess Durga. Over the years, this particular mela in Phulrai village has grown in popularity, attracting a large number of pilgrims.
The Stampede
According to eyewitnesses, the stampede began shortly after 8 pm as devotees tried to enter the temple. The narrow and congested path leading to the temple created a bottleneck, and as the crowd surged forward, people were trampled underfoot.
Search for "Bhole Baba"
Following the stampede, the Uttar Pradesh police launched a search for "Bhole Baba," the organizer of the event. According to officials, Bhole Baba, also known as Ram Kutir Das, was responsible for managing the crowd and ensuring the safety of pilgrims.
However, Bhole Baba was nowhere to be found after the stampede. Police conducted a search operation at his charitable trust, Ram Kutir Charitable Trust, but he was not apprehended.
Overcrowding and Lack of Management
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has attributed the stampede to overcrowding and a lack of proper crowd management. He stated that the organizers had not taken adequate measures to control the flow of pilgrims, leading to the tragic incident.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who is Bhole Baba? A: Bhole Baba, or Ram Kutir Das, is the organizer of the "Navratri Mela" in Phulrai village.
2. Why is the police searching for Bhole Baba? A: The police are searching for Bhole Baba as he is believed to be responsible for crowd management and safety at the event.
3. What caused the stampede? A: The stampede was caused by overcrowding and a lack of proper crowd management.
4. How many people died in the stampede? A: More than 20 people were killed in the stampede.
5. What are the authorities doing to prevent future incidents? A: The authorities are investigating the incident and have ordered a probe to identify the lapses in crowd management. They are also considering implementing stricter safety measures at future religious events.
On Engineers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a pioneering figure in India's engineering history. In a message on this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude and admiration for Sir M. Visvesvaraya's groundbreaking contributions that laid the foundation for India's modern engineering landscape. He also applauded the current generation of engineers for their creativity and determination in continuing to drive innovation and tackle challenges, highlighting their crucial role in building a developed India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manipur, his first since the outbreak of violence in 2023, aims to bring peace and progress to the state. He inaugurated various developmental projects and assured support from the government for ensuring peace and stability in the state. However, the Congress has criticized the visit, calling it "shockingly insensitive." PM Modi also emphasized the strong bond between India and Nepal.
Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena party, has called for a boycott of the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai, citing it as an insult to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also accused Indian cricket board chief Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of forcing the Indian team to play in the match despite their reluctance. Meanwhile, Sena workers have staged protests and even broken a TV set to show their disapproval of the match.
Veteran ABC journalist Barrie Cassidy falls for fake news about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, falsely accusing the suspect as a right-wing extremist. However, it was later revealed that the killer was actually influenced by left-wing ideology, causing Cassidy to issue a public apology for his mistake.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of Hindi as a "friend" rather than a competitor to other regional languages during his keynote address at the Hindi Diwas 2025 and Rajbhasha Conference. Shah traced the roots of Hindi's acceptance in Gujarat and highlighted how it has coexisted with Gujarati, providing children with a wider reach at the national level. This fifth edition of the conference held outside Delhi showcases the government's efforts to strengthen communication between Hindi and regional languages.
After the outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur in May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to the state and addressed separate gatherings in Churachandpur and Imphal. In his speeches, he emphasized peace as a precondition for progress, reconciliation between the hills and valley, infrastructure, and welfare. He also announced a special package and funds for rehabilitation of over 60,000 people displaced by the conflict, showcasing the central government's commitment towards rebuilding lives in Manipur. With this visit, Modi aimed to ease tensions and promote unity in the polarized state, urging for collective will in bringing back normalcy and fostering development.
On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah shared greetings and urged the people of the country to take a pledge to preserve and enrich all Indian languages, including Hindi. They emphasized that language is a living heritage of identity and culture, and the growing respect of Hindi on the world stage is a matter of pride. They also highlighted the role of Indian languages in carrying forward India's culture, knowledge, and traditions through generations.
CM Yogi of Uttar Pradesh has been actively engaging with the public through the 'Samarth Uttar Pradesh - Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047' campaign, with visits to all 75 districts and the gathering of over 1.5 lakh feedback entries so far. The top feedback entries have highlighted education as the biggest issue among the public, with over 50,000 suggestions related to education. Other areas of concern include urban and rural development, health, social welfare, and agriculture.
Amid massive anti-government protests and a constitutional crisis in Nepal, top sources reveal that former chief justice Sushila Karki is likely to be announced as the interim Prime Minister. This decision comes after days of political turmoil and unrest, with President Ramchandra Paudel pushing for a solution within the constitutional framework. Army troops continue to patrol sensitive areas while representatives of the youth-led 'Gen Z' hold talks with military officials to finalize the transitional government.
The political world was rocked by tragedy as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah college. President Trump expressed his shock and sadness over the loss of his close ally, and offered his condolences to Kirk's wife Erika, who is said to be devastated by the news. While the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and the killer is still at large, the President has announced plans to award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.