Confusion. Screams. Fear. Chaos. These were the scenes in a small village in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras on Tuesday as hundreds gathered to hear ‘Bhole Baba,’ a self-styled godman, witnessed a horrifying stampede.
The stampede occurred as devotees began leaving a ‘satsang’ (prayer meet) organized in Pulrai village, resulting in over 100 deaths and numerous injuries.
Shakuntala, an eyewitness, described the chaos as people began to fall while rushing out. “Everyone started leaving after the event. The road outside was uneven, built on a height with a drain below. One by one, people began falling into it. Some were crushed.”
As rescue operations continued and hospitals filled with bodies, many searched desperately for missing family members.
“I came here with my family from Badaun. My younger brother’s wife is missing. We heard many people were unaccounted for. I made announcements, but it didn’t help,” said Suresh.
Another woman from Agra, who attended the satsang with 20-25 people, was frantically looking for her 15-year-old daughter. “We came from Agra for the satsang. My daughter is missing. The police say they don’t know anything,” she said.
An NDRF team is en route for medical assistance. Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath is expected to visit Hathras on Wednesday.
PM Modi, Amit Shah Speak to UP CM
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah spoke to CM, Yogi Adityanath, assuring all possible help from the Centre. ” The Uttar Pradesh government is engaged in providing all possible help to the victims. My condolences with those who have lost their loved ones. I wish for the speedy recovery to the injured,” PM Modi stated on X.
As news of the stampede broke, PM Modi, in the middle of a speech in Lok Sabha, paused to share the information with fellow MPs. “I have received sad news about tragic deaths in the Hathras stampede,” he said. “I express my condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Who is Baba Bhole?
The satsang was led by Sakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, formerly Saurabh Kumar. A former Uttar Pradesh Police intelligence officer, he left his job after 17 years to become a preacher. Known for his white suit and tie, he belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, has no children, and organizes satsang events with his wife. He is also known as ‘Sakar Vishwa Hari Baba of Patiali.’
Following his brother’s death, he established a Trust and appointed a caretaker for his property in Bahadurgarh, where his ashram is located. Bhole Baba’s popularity grew among the underprivileged, with thousands becoming his devotees.
A Hathras resident said, “Baba conducts sermons and employs his own volunteers for security and arrangements.” His followers come not only from UP but also from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Both Bhole Baba and his followers maintain a distance from the media.
